Zero to Map.

Four hands-on sessions from “never opened a mapping tool” to a published map with your name on it. Materials live here in the open — come to the sessions for the people and the help. Join the lab for dates.

  1. Your first map

    Install QGIS, load real DC data, style it, and export a map you made. No experience assumed. Guide ready →

  2. Real data

    Joins, CSVs to features, census basics — your first choropleth. Guide coming with the fall schedule.

  3. Spatial analysis

    Buffers, spatial joins, “what’s within X of Y” questions. Guide coming with the fall schedule.

  4. Publish

    Export GeoJSON, simplify, and ship your layer to the Atlas — your name in the credits. Guide coming with the fall schedule.

Keep this handy

The QGIS cheat sheet — one printable page with the interface, the vocabulary, and the moves you’ll use every session.