Abstract: How can we help prepare students to become engaged citizens in their communities? Your local community has the potential to be an authentic instructional environment, but the complexity of leaving the confines of a classroom also creates challenges for educators who must provide guidance to students to make sense of observations, collect data, and analyze patterns despite sensory overload and multiple distractions. Place-based learning using mapping strategies with mobile devices is one approach that can support experiential learning experiences. We will explore the tools that can help students chart a course of action, revisit their data and observations, and ultimately contribute to mapping for a better world.