Engaging in extracurricular study on the subject of Geography, about 60 5th grade students and teachers from Peter Kirk Elementary paid a visit to City Hall Nov. 19 for GIS Day.

Run by the city’s Information Technology staff, Kirkland’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program is a collaborative effort to utilize the power of the latest mapping technology. The data allows various departments to more accurately carry out their work, such as plan infrastructure improvements, permit building plans or allow code enforcement officers to monitor the city’s tree inventory.

“We’re so far ahead of a number of other cities in this,” said Mayor Jim Lauinger, who proclaimed GIS Day in honor of the city’s leadership in the region to use the technology and promotion of geographic literacy in schools and community organizations. “It saves taxpayer money — I think it’s really paid off.”

Organized by GIS Administrator Xiaoning Jiang, city staff showed off the various GIS technologies for the school children. A favorite was a Public Works truck outfitted to find sewer leaks using a GIS enabled remote control robot. Dozens of maps adorned the city’s council chambers as Jiang, Public Works manager Ray Steiger and others gave special GIS demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Teacher Judy Gehring thanked the city for the tour and presentation.

“The kids had a terrific time and they couldn’t stop listing things they had learned or enjoyed during the visit,” she said.

Earlier this year, the city was awarded a “Special Achievement” award at a GIS technology conference in San Diego, Calif.