Topo Map Mania!
Students explore the world of mapsCopyright Map courtesy of DeLorme 2002 (www.delorme.com) Topo USA
Maps are designed to allow people to travel to a new location without a guide to show the way. They tell us information about areas to which we may or may not have ever been. There are many types of maps available for both recreational and professional use. A navigator uses a nautical map, while an engineer might use a surveyor's map. Maps are created by cartographers, and they can be very specific or very general, depending on their intended use. The focus of this lesson is on how to read and use topographical maps. Students will also learn to identify the common features of a map. Through the associated activities, students will learn how to use a compass to find bearing to an object on a map and in the classroom.
Maps are an important tool for all types of engineers. A civil engineer carefully examines topographic maps to decide the best location to construct a power plant for the safety of surrounding populations. NASA engineers sending a robot to a planet's surface must pick a suitable landing spot (a flat area rather than a steep canyon). For electrical engineers, circuit diagrams serve as maps to communicate with others how to build the circuit. Interpreting maps is an essential skill for all types of engineers.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Understand the major features of maps and compasses
- Understand how scaling works
- Understand how interpreting maps is an essential skill for all types of engineering