Map and Compass Skills: the STEAM and Physical Education Connection
Introduction: Map and Compass Skills: the STEAM and Physical Education Connection
Developing activities that happen to involve science, art, engineering, mathematics, and/or technology may or may not align with STEAM. The correct way to develop STEAM lessons/activities/projects is to start with the standards for a particular grade level and then to develop the lesson/activity/project.
This learning project addresses the following standards:
Science
Apply Newton’s Second Law to compass and map skills (pacing and speed).
Technology
Solve problems in ways that leverage the power of technology (declination and geocaching).
Engineering
Develop a model (3D topographic map) to generate data for testing (compass and map skills).
Art
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work through the development of a project (3D topographic map).
Math
Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale (paper map and 3D topographic map).
Physical Education
Explains the use of Newton's Second Law to compass and map skills (pacing and speed).
Demonstrate compass and map skills (read a compass, read a map, take a bearing, follow a bearing).
Explain the strategies used in compass and map skills (route choice).
Participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity (physical activities and geocaching).
Supplies
Paper
Pen/pencil
Ruler
Protractor
Items to mark locations (paper plate, rocks, etc.)
Compass (see step 1)
Lego 32x32 baseplate
Legos (variety of plates and bricks)
Step 1: Secure or Make a Compass
Secure a compass (photo 1)
Note: If you don't have access to a compass or compass app on your phone then you can always make a compass. Conduct a search using "make compass" at Instructables for a variety of simple ideas for making a compass out of everyday items.
Review the names of the different parts of the compass (photo 2).
Step 2: Orientate and Read a Compass
Orientate the Compass
Hold the compass steady in your non-dominant hand with the base plate level.
Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your body near your stomach.
Read the Compass
Position the "N" with the travel arrow.
Turn your body until the magnetic needle lines up with the travel arrow (you are facing north).
Physical Experience
Experiment with positioning directions with the travel arrow.
Turn your body until the magnetic needle lines up with the travel arrow.
Step 3: Get Map and Mark It
Get a Map
1. Go to USGS Topographic Maps (https://www.usgs.gov/products/maps/topo-maps)
2. Select a map that has a variety of elevations
3. Download the map (downloading is free)
4. Select a four segments area
5. Print the map
Mark it to Scale
Draw a 32x32 grid (see photo 1) over the map. 717
The actual scale for these USGS Topographic Maps are marked on them. This scale says 1" equals 63,360" or 5280 feet or 1760 yards.
Note 1: I printed my map at 6" x 6" and my horizontal and vertical lines were at 1/16" (.1875") intervals to match 32x32 grid.
Note the Altitude
Label each cell on the topographic map with the altitude (I abbreviate 3000 as 30, 2100 as 21), so that the numbers would fit in the cells (see photo 2).
Step 4: Create a 3D Topographic Map
The 3D Topographic Map (photos 1-7) is made out of legos. Start with a 32x32 baseplate. Note the lowest point on the topographic map (mine is 1900') and the highest point (3300'). 1900' is at the baseplate and every 100 feet in elevation adds 1 plate. The high point is 14 plates high. Remember one brick is 3 plates, so bricks also may be used. I used the trans plate (see photo 8) to mark the north west corner of the topographic map.
The representation of the 3D Topographic Map, for our purposes, is 3200 feet by 3200 feet so that the distance between any two horizontal/vertical lego studs is 100 feet.
Step 5: Determine and Set Declination on the Compass
Maps show true north or map north, the point at which all meridians of longitude meet in the northern hemisphere.
Compasses show magnetic north or compass north, the point at which all magnetic lines merge in the northern hemisphere.
Magnetic declination is the difference between true north and magnetic north expressed in degrees. 110