Where Is Your Teacher?
Students use bearings to locate objectsCopyright 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. All rights reserved. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=compass&ex=1#ai:MP900302981|mt:2|
Students learn how to take bearings using orienteering compasses. They also learn how to describe a bearing and find an object in the classroom using a bearing.
Understanding bearing is essential to engineers who design radar tracking and surveillance systems used for everything from scientific study to military defense. Some radar systems measure distances and map geographical areas, others help to navigate at sea. Aircraft radar warns of obstacles, provides altitude readings and helps land planes in fog or by remote control. Radar is used for daily weather forecasting, and monitoring severe weather such as tornados and hurricanes. Radar systems are used to study the planets and the solar system, including tracking Earth-orbiting human-made satellites, space debris, meteors and other objects in outer space.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain the basics of how to use a compass, including taking a bearing and finding the direction of bearing,
- Measure degrees,
- Describe ways navigation technology is used in engineering,