Universe Cycle - Geography (6)
Pre Lab 

   
OBJECTIVES:
  • Exploring map skills.
  • Discovering uses for maps.
VOCABULARY:
  • geologic
  • globe
  • legend
  • map
  • navigation
  • topography
MATERIALS:
  • worksheet
  • topographic maps & legends
  • physiographic relief globe

Students use worksheet to compare maps.

BACKGROUND:

Geography is the science that studies the location of objects, such as mountains, human cultural groups, or even butterfly populations. The location can be either Earth or space. Maps are an essential tool of geography. Maps are a representation of the Earth’s surface. Topographic maps, for example show the location and shape of mountains, valleys, and plains; the networks of streams and rivers; and the principal works of man.

Hikers use topographic maps, especially in areas where there are no roads with signs. Geologists depend on topographic maps for superimposing rock types upon the land. Other examples include maps that illustrate physiographic features such as forests, grassland, woodland, tundra, grazing land, ocean floors, and ocean sediments. Meteorological maps that show climate, weather and wind are types of environmental maps. Environmental maps can also record human impacts on the environment. Meteorologists, oceanographers, geographers, city planners, and many other professionals depend greatly on these maps to record and forecast their specific field.

Cartography is the science of making a map. It requires a knowledge of how to  represented objects on a smaller space. Maps are smaller than the areas they portray, otherwise, they would be useless. Imagine a map of your city that is city-sized!.

Distances on maps are thus smaller than the real distances they represent. The relationship between map distance and real distance is called a map’s scale. Topographic maps show two scales. A bar scale shows distances graphically, the diagram shows how to measure five miles on a map. Topographic maps also have a fractional scale. This appears on the map as a ratio. This ratio tells how many real world measurement units equal one of the same unit on a map. In the diagram, the fractional scale is 1:100000. This means than one inch on the map equals 100,000 inches in the real world. This scale can be used with any measurement, such as inches, centimeters, or feet. The larger this scale is, the more area a map covers. For example, a map scale of 1:24,000 covers a small, detailed area, while a map scale of 1:1,000,000 covers a much larger area.

The legend of a map also explains the symbols used on the map. Topographic maps use a standard set of simple symbols to represent such features as streams, buildings, and roads. These symbols may vary from country to country. The U. S. Geological Survey map symbols are shown on the sheet labeled, "Topographic Map Symbols."

Latitude and longitude are also shown on maps in the corners. Latitude is given to the left and right of the map: longitude is above and below it, as shown in the diagram. On U. S. Geological Survey maps, latitude and longitude are given in degrees, minutes (60 minutes = 1 degree) and seconds (60 seconds = 1 minute), read , for example as, 45 o 34'56".

PROCEDURE:
  1. Discuss with students on how maps show relief, even in two dimensions. Only topographic or shaded relief maps can show you that the world is not flat. There are also relief maps, but they are three dimensional. Maps help us in several ways including:
    1. To make a very large area look small and understandable,
    2. As tools for planning (i.e. dams, highways, urban development),
    3. To help us find our way in unfamiliar areas,
    4. Show us where major places are.
       
  2. Discuss different types of maps with the class. A map is a representation of the Earth’s surface. A globe is also a type of map. Show as many examples as you have including topographic, road, political, and weather maps. Show them a physiographic relief map, to show them that not all maps are two dimensional. You may also want to discuss virtual maps that are in cars to help you when you are lost!
     
  3. Review the orientation information on a map with the students. Include geographic orientation (north, south, east, and west). On almost all maps, north is toward the top of the map. It is also shown by an arrow in the map’s legend. Discuss the other components of a map’s legend. Show them the Topographic map symbols.
     
  4. Give students the worksheet and then go over the answers with the students.

    ANSWERS:
    1. Road Map, a map that would have all the states and major roads
    2. Globe, since a globe is the best representation of distance
    3. Navigation Map, a map of the oceans usually gives miles in nautical miles, especially used by shipping and Navy
    4. Topographic Map, elevation and how steep an area is given
    5. Geologic Map, different colors usually tell you the different types of rocks
    6. Legend

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