Annual NJDEP GIS Mapping Contest Rules

The NJDEP GIS Mapping Contest is an opportunity to share one’s work and expertise with colleagues in an enjoyable atmosphere. Any GIS user from novice to expert, is apt to learn about an application or technique not considered in the past. Whether to get technical motivation, artistic inspiration, or just a better understanding of GIS, all non-commercial users of GIS are encouraged to participate.

 

Eligibility –

• Maps entered must be non-commercial in nature.
• The contest is not open to private sector maps, but all are welcome to attend.
• The competition is open to federal, state, county, and municipal employees, members of non-profit organizations, teachers, and students.
• All maps, including web-based maps must include a hard-copy map to be displayed at the contest.

 

Permissible Map Entries –

• Each presenter is limited to entering a maximum of 2 maps in the contest.
• Student Map category entries are limited to 5 maps per school.
• Each entry must be printed on paper and not mounted on any type of stiff backing.
• There is no minimum size for paper maps; however, a maximum size of ‘ANSI E’ or 34″ x 44″ will be enforced.
• Each map entered may not comprise more than two sheets of the ‘ANSI E’ size paper, except for Map Series or Atlas category.
• It is advised to use high quality paper for all maps to avoid any fraying or wrinkling that may occur.
• For public-facing web-based maps, it is recommended to provide a publicly accessible working URL and to have a QR code or URL printed on the poster.
• If unable to attend in person, the contestant must designate a representative to bring and present the map on his/her behalf.

 

Arrival Times Map Presenters –

If you plan on presenting a map in the contest, please arrive at the NJDEP Public Hearing Room NO LATER than 9:00 AM to receive your contest materials. You will then enter the main event room where an assistant will help you find the correct location to post your map. It is the map presenter’s responsibility to make sure that the map is posted correctly in the category they registered it. Last minute category change is not allowed 

 

Observers –

Please register your attendance on the web site if possible. If you are coming to the contest as an observer, please arrive at 9:30 AM as the event will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. Arriving early will ensure time available to enjoy refreshments and network with colleagues prior to the beginning of the contest.

 

Photography –

During the contest, NJDEP staff will be taking photographs of the map creators and presenters as well as general photos of those in attendance. Many of these photos will be put up on the main NJDEP web site and on the Bureau of GIS web site.

• If for some reason you do not want your photograph taken or posted, you must let us know.
• Those who are under the age of 18 must submit a document indicating approval by parent or guardian to allow the Department to post photos on the Internet. Photo Consent Form

 

Map Registration –

Map registration must take place using the online form that will be posted at www.nj.gov/dep/gis . All maps must be registered by March 31, 2025. There will be no walk-up maps accepted.

Please submit a digital copy of the map for projecting on a big screen during the map presentation portion of the contest.

Digital copies of all registered entries, to be sent to NJDEP/BGIS no later than Thursday, April 03, 2025.

 

Selecting a Map Category –

The map creator must select a pre-determined category for his/her map when registering. Web-based maps can be entered into any one relevant category. Once a pre-determined category is selected, the map author may change that category up to Wednesday, April 02, 2025. No changes to categories after that time will be permitted. Category Description

 

Pre-determined Categories: 

• Analytic Methods and Results
• Dashboard
• Educational Map
• Map Series or Atlas
• Most Innovative
• Reference Map
• StoryMap
• Student Map, High School
• Thematic Map

Day-of Contest Categories:

• Best Cartographic Design (selected by expert)
• Best Use of Science (selected by NJDEP staff)

 

At the contest, each map will be posted in a group alongside maps in the same category.

Presentation of Map Entries –

Each map entered in the contest may officially be presented to the audience during the presentation portion of the contest. In the interest of time, presenters will be permitted ONE MINUTE only to describe each map. When the one minute is declared over by the official timekeeper, the presenter must complete his/her description immediately to allow for the next map to be presented.

  

Voting Procedures for Map Entries –

All in-person attendees will receive a paper ballot at the contest. Once all maps have been presented, there will be a time slot given for in-person attendees to vote. The voting categories for the competition are listed above.

Attendees must vote for no more than ONE map entry in each of the categories. When a ballot is received with more than one vote per category, only the first vote will be counted. Attendees are requested to submit no more than ONE ballot per person.

Vote Count Procedures Tallying Votes –

Votes will be tallied at the contest venue after a given time and when a significant number of ballots have been added to the official ballot boxes.

 

First Place –

A map will be considered the first-place winner when it has received the most votes per category. In the event of a tie for first place, both maps with the highest vote total will be considered first place winners. If the above instance occurs, there will be no second-place award.

 

Second Place –

A map will be considered a second-place winner when it has received the second highest number of votes in one category.

 

Certificates/General Awards –

After votes are tallied, first and second place maps in each category will be announced and will receive a certificate and prize each.

Any questions about these rules should be sent to GISNet@dep.nj.gov.

NJDEP GIS Mapping Contest Voting Categories

All entries of any category should have an accompanying hard-copy map or poster to be displayed at the contest.

1. Analytic Methods and Results

This category is for work that evidences analysis of a stated problem or issue and displays the results in a map. The entry should identify the question of interest and the analytical methods used to answer the question of interest. This work should provide a workflow that appropriately supports finding an answer to the analysis question. The results of the analysis should be clearly displayed in map form, with supporting graphics, if applicable. The map will be judged based on evidence that the design and flow of the submission follows a strong logic from which the intended audience could learn or replicate the concepts or analysis in their own work. Maps and visuals should support the output or result of the demonstrated workflow.

2. Dashboard

Entries in this category should convey information by presenting location-based analytics using intuitive and interactive data visualizations. The dashboard should effectively present data to facilitate understanding, decision making, and engagement of users.

3. Educational Map (Instructional Presentation)

This category is for work whose intended focus is to educate while incorporating GIS. Entries in this category should identify the expected goal of a curriculum, course, lesson, or activity in terms of demonstrable skills or knowledge that will be acquired by a user as a result of instruction. Entries in this category may be presented as a poster or set of instructional materials. This map will be judged for evidence of how the intended user could achieve the learning goal, perhaps using step‐by‐step instructions and explanatory text in addition to maps, diagrams, and illustrations. The type and style of the learning materials should be clearly designed for the target user.

4. Map Series or Atlas

Entries in this category must consist of maps in a series or an atlas. In addition to the design of individual maps, the judges will be looking for the overall appearance and continuity of the product as a collection of maps. There should be a consistency in approach and a unifying design that creates a distinctively excellent product for a central, coordinated theme. Entries should either be bound or printed on a sheet of paper. QR code or URL may be included.

5. Most Innovative

This category is intended to support work of an innovative or experimental nature. Entries are expected to be creatively distinct and should show the mapped theme in a graphically interesting, unique, or provocative way. The map will be judged for excellence in overall design, a creative combination of the art and science of cartography, and products that go beyond conventional cartographic boundaries. If an entry uses a previously‐designed item or piece of art, appropriate credits must be included for the original author or artist (for example, a statement that the submitter’s work is in the style of or based on the work of another author or artist).

6. Reference Map

This category is for reference maps (sometimes called general‐purpose maps) whose purpose is to provide a picture of the geographic character of the mapped area and the spatial configuration of features within it. The focus of these maps should be on accurate depiction at a given scale of the location of a variety of environmental features—both natural and cultural—in an area, with limited focus on feature attributes. The map will be judged based on the selection, classification, and generalization of features; methods used to distinguish and prioritize features; and symbolization and labeling of features. It will also be assessed for the overall graphic contiguity, completeness, and clarity of the map or maps with regard to the map scale, intended audience, and intended use.

7. Story Map

Entries in this category should combine one or more user created web maps with narrative text, images, or multimedia to tell a story. The maps will be judged on their effectiveness in making the subject matter interesting and understandable, engaging user experience and overall design and creativity.

8. Student Map

This category is for high school students.  Entries in this category can be from either an individual or from a group, for example, a class‐based project in which many students participated. Entries should include details of all students, teachers, supervisors, and/or leaders who participated in the work. Entries should also include information about the educational institution or organization (name and address) and the teacher, supervisor, or leader (name and email address) of the person primarily responsible for mentoring the students and overseeing their work.

9. Thematic Map

This category is for thematic maps whose objective is to illustrate a theme or the relationship among several themes and are organized so that the subject stands out above the geographic setting. The focus of these maps is on the structure of the geographic distribution of features or phenomenon that may or may not physically exist on the earth. The judges will be looking for clear and concise communication of the theme, appropriate reflection of supporting geographic contextual information, and presentation of ancillary information that helps to explain what is on the map or provides information that cannot be portrayed on the map.  The map will be judged based on the overall graphic contiguity, completeness, and clarity of the map or maps with regard to the map scale, intended audience, and intended use.