The SandBox Lesson 2 – Intermediate Topography Lesson Summary


Lesson 2 – Intermediate Topography



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Lesson 2 – Intermediate Topography
Lesson Summary: Students learn about topography and contours using both printed maps and the hands-on SandBox Augmented Reality toolbox. They first examine a pre-made printed map to understand contours then use Google Earth to show profiles and use the SandBox to build the same map. Then they use string to count contours and find the shortest route in distance and least contours.
Objectives: Students will understand how to read contours; create a topographically changing landscape; and measure distances
Estimated Time: 45 minutes

Correlation to Alaska Standards
Cultural E-2 Understand the ecology and geography of the bioregion they inhabit.
Geography A Make and use maps, globes and graphs to gather, analyze, and report spatial (geographic) information.
Geography A-6 Use spatial (geographic) tools and technologies to analyze and develop explanations and solutions to geographic problems.
Science A-1 Develop an understanding of the processes of science.
Technology A-1 Use a computer to enter and retrieve information.


BACKGROUND FOR THE TEACHER
Here, the students will be working with you to understand topography and how the Augmented Reality SandBox toolkit can be used along with actual topographic maps, known as Digital Raster Graphics (DRG). Understanding topography is a critical tool for a student wanted to develop further skills in map reading, geography classrooms lessons. To understand topography, the students will also be learning about contour lines and what makes up versus down slope and the difference between flat lands versus a steep slope.

The DRG maps will be obtained from the online SwathViewer resource from the Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA, http://sv.gina.alaska.edu/). This tool allows users to search across Alaska for the best available maps, not just topography, and make a screen capture for further analysis and print out for the classroom. For this classroom lesson, you can either print out the DRG maps from online before hand or have the students perform this for themselves in the lesson.



The Augmented Reality SandBox toolkit is a computer based system for directly interacting with a topographically changing surface. The toolkit uses ‘white sand’, a Microsoft® Kinetic and computer programming suite to allow the user to move the sand and see how the topography changes. This toolkit will be used in the classroom by different groups of students. You will need to ensure that they are aware of the cost of the equipment and that it is sensitive.
Google Earth is one of a number of 'virtual globes' that are freely available. These tools allow the Earth to be viewed in its three-dimensional form. Google Earth's advantage over many of the others is in its accessibility and ease of use. Being able to navigate within Google Earth and use its main features and layers will assist students in later lessons and also illustrate some of the tools that one can use in Google Earth. Students will need access to the Google Navigation Resource about the different layers and features within the software and become accustomed to the look and feel of Google Earth. The newest version of Google Earth will need to be installed in the PC/Mac to carry out the lesson. Previous versions of Google Earth will work, but as each new version is added, there are subtle changes and this lesson is written to use all the features the newest version.
MATERIALS


  • Pre-made maps from SwathViewer, multiple copies per team as students will look at them in pairs

  • Augmented Reality SandBox

  • Internet access ready computer

  • Google Earth installed on computers

  • White board for writing up notes from students

  • String for each group

  • Ruler to measure length of string

  • KMZ file for each site, Denali Mountains and North Slope pre-made for the students

  • Four small flag markers for start and end of the routes in the sand.

  • One copy of all lesson to each student

  • Multiple copies of the Google Earth Navigation Resource

  • Multiple copies of the photo and note taking log sheets see end of lesson

  • Pens/Pencils for students to fill out questions and log sheets

  • Projector and PC with internet to show the lesson at the beginning


INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
Getting Ready

  • In this lesson, students will be analyzing a pre-made map. Then as a group they will use Google Earth to determine profiles and then use the SandBox to make the topography and carry out the same analysis. Make sure Google Earth is installed.

  • To model this lesson, you can show them how to use Google Earth to measure the two profiles. You can also give them a couple of minute’s demonstration of the SandBox and make them aware of the sensitivity of the equipment.

  • Also you will need to show them what you would like to do in the SandBox with the string and measuring the length of the string and count the contour lines.

  • Make sure that the pre-made maps have been generated. Use the Appendix material for downloading topographic maps.


Gear Up

  • Ask the students “do they know what a contour is?’

  • Ask the students “Do they know what the term topography means?”

  • Ask the students “Have they use Google Earth for finding a location?”

  • Use the white board to draw any answers they provide.

  • Explain the set up for the lab.

  • Divide the students into Team 1 and 2 and explain the order for each to use the SandBox.

  • Model the lesson, with the Google Earth demo and some time with the SandBox.


Explore

Students work to identify and interpret features.


Generalize

  • Have the students show you each step of their working?

  • Did each team provide three decisions they made as they build their topography?

  • Did each student answer the three questions at the end?

  • Ask the students again “do they know what a contour is?’

  • Ask students “Do they know what the term topography means?”

  • Use the white board to draw any answers they provide and compare to pre-lesson answers.


TEACHER RESOURCES
Google Earth can be installed from: https://www.google.com/earth/
GINA website: http://www.gina.alaska.edu/
SwathViewer website: http://sv.gina.alaska.edu/
Note that this lesson has been designed to use Google Earth. As of February 3, 2015, Google Earth Pro is now free. This lesson can be ran with either version, however there will be differences with the Save Image feature.

Name: _________________________
ESPCOR – SandBox Lesson 2
TOPOGRAPHY – INTERMEDIATE
STUDENT EXERCISE
Directions: In this lesson, you will learn about topography and contours. You will use the SandBox Augmented Reality toolbox to build the same map as you will see in printed form and use Google Earth to measure profiles. You will make notes as you build the map in the SandBox on problems faced so that we can come together at the end for discussion.
Explore 1: Reading a Topographic Map


  1. Based on your teachers decision, split into your two groups. You will see below the length of time to spend on each part of the lesson.


Team 1: Denali


  • 1st : Work in the SandBox, Download photos and list three main decisions [10 mins]

  • 2nd : Use Google Earth to measure profiles [10 mins]


Team 2: North Slope


  • 1st : Use Google Earth to measure profiles [10 mins]

  • 2nd : Work in the SandBox, Download photos and list three main decisions [10 mins]

First you will need to obtain the map from your teacher.


Team 1 will need to obtain the Denali Map from the teacher. Grab one per two students in your group. Together discuss a flat route and a steep route, see below to the left.



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