Nidy-Gridy: Using Grids and Coordinates
What's the location?Copyright Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/compass-navigation-map-direction-390054/
Normally we find things using landmark navigation. When you move to a new place, it may take you awhile to explore the new streets and buildings, but eventually you recognize enough landmarks and remember where they are in relation to each other. However, another accurate method for locating places and things is using grids and coordinates. In this activity, students will come up with their own system of a grid and coordinates for their classroom and understand why it is important to have one common method of map-making.
Engineers often use landmarks for navigation. For example, when construction materials technicians obtain test concrete samples from a pour, they use landmarks to inform engineers of the samples' locations. If the tests later show that the concrete does not meet the original specifications, the engineer must decide how to proceed. Engineers also use grids and coordinates frequently. They look for relationships between variables as plotted on graphs, to inform effective designs and clearly communicate those designs with others.
After this activity, students should be able to understand:
- How to make predictions and use scientific investigation to verify hypotheses.
- Understand grids and coordinates are useful for location, navigation, and transportation in general
- The concepts of latitude and longitude, reading and interpreting scales, and creating a coordinate system