TEACHER MATERIALS
How do longitude and latitude help us analyze data and solve problems?
“Where Am I?”
In this activity, the students will think about all the different ways they could communicate their location to someone. Reflecting on a series of photos, they will write in response to a few prompts.
“The Orange Challenge”
In this activity, the students will discover how the spherical shape of Earth is captured on a two-dimensional map by experimenting with oranges. Following the provided instructions, they will try to turn an orange peel into a map of the world.
“The Orange Challenge” instructions
“The Quest to Calculate Longitude”
In this activity, the students will watch and analyze a video about the development of the first machine that could accurately calculate longitude. As they watch the video, they will fill out a corresponding handout.
“The Longitude Problem” handout
“Comparing Map Projections”
In this activity, the students will compare and contrast different map projections, paying special attention to how the longitude and latitude are presented in each model. They will study the map projections in the provided document and answer corresponding questions. Then, they will watch a video about the topic.
“Basic Map Skills – Longitude and Latitude”
In this activity, the students will learn how to read longitude and latitude on a map. First, you should give a slideshow presentation about the topic. Then, the students will complete a practice worksheet. Finally, they will fill out a pop quiz.
“Basics of Longitude and Latitude” slides
“Longitude and Latitude” practice worksheet
“Longitude and Latitude” pop quiz
“Maps Practice – Longitude and Latitude”
In this activity, the students will practice reading longitude and latitude using Google Earth. First, they will complete practice problems. Then, they will play a learning game – “Longitude and Latitude Bingo” – for which the instructions are provided.
“Google Earth – Longitude and Latitude” handout
“Longitude and Latitude Bingo” instructions
“Null Island – Defining a Culture”
In this activity, the students will create a culture for “null island” – the fictional place located at 0°N, 0°E. Before creating fictional cultural artifacts for the place, they will first read an article about it.
“An Introduction to GPS”
In this activity, the students will share what they already know about GPS. Before having them respond to quick write responses, consider showing them a funny video.
“Michael Drives into a Lake – The Office”
Waypoint Hide and Seek
In this activity, the students will practice using a GPS device (or an equivalent mobile app) to mark and find waypoints, in preparation for using this kind of technology while collecting citizen science data. Both sample instructions for students and a teacher’s guide to activity are provided below, along with a couple of resources related to public geocaching.
“Waypoint Hide and Seek” – sample instructions
“Waypoint Hide and Seek” – teacher’s guide
“Researching GPS”
In this activity, the students will explore a variety of sources to learn more about how GPS works and the different ways it can be used. The choice board for this activity is provided below.