National Geographic
Measuring Elevation Past and Present
After viewing a short video about a climb up Mount Everest, high schoolers read about triangulation for measuring distant elevations. Have your class work in groups to construct an inclinometer and then use it to measure the height of...
Teach Engineering
Earthquakes Living Lab: FAQs about P Waves, S Waves and More
Let's talk about earthquakes .... Using the Internet, pupils research what causes earthquakes, how scientists measure them, their locations, and their effects. The resource is not only informative, but it also builds crucial research...
Teach Engineering
Earthquakes Living Lab: Finding Epicenters and Measuring Magnitudes
Pairs use an online simulation to determine the epicenter and magnitude of an earthquake. Using real data about the earthquake's maximum S wave amplitudes, they then determine the magnitude. The resource provides a great career...
California Academy of Science
Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates
Here is a comprehensive package in which middle schoolers learn about types of seismic waves, triangulation, and tectonic plate boundaries. Complete vocabulary, colorful maps, and a worksheet are included via links on the webpage. You...
Curated OER
Mapping Meteorites
After reading an article, "Cameras Capture a 5-Second Fireball and Its Meteorite's Secrets," space science superstars use the  triangulation method to determine the location of a distant object. In-class activities and homework are...
Curated OER
Orienteering - Lesson 9 - Declination
What's the difference between true north and magnetic north? Lesson 9 has your class practicing mapping using a compass and taking the correct declination into account. This lesson is one part of a 10 lesson unit on orienteering. There...
Curated OER
How High Is That?
Students explore the National Spatial Reference System. In this vertical position lesson, students will discuss the use of vertical position data and solve practical problems involving geographic positioning.
Curated OER
Aurora Borealis
In this Aurora Borealis instructional activity, students read about how early scientists used triangulation to measure the height of the Aurora Borealis. Students solve 3 problems using triangulation.
Curated OER
Triangulation Experiment
In this triangulation worksheet, students solve and complete 11 steps of an experiment to determine the distance to a far away object using triangulation and trigonometry. First, they select a far away object and create a baseline far...
Curated OER
Topo Triangulation
Students investigate how to read a topographical map and triangulate with just a map. They convert a compass measurement to a protractor measurement, reverse a bearing direction, and using a worksheet take a bearing of certain landmarks...
Curated OER
Getting to the Point
Middle schoolers determine location by using the technique of triangulation. They imagine that they are out in the wilderness and have come to the top of a ridge. How can one identify the ridge on the topo map? How can one figure out...
Curated OER
Topos, Compasses, and Triangles, Oh My!
Students triangulate using a compass, topographical (topo) map and a view of outside landmarks. They take a field trip to another location away from school and mark discernible landmarks (like mountains or radio towers) and changes in...
Curated OER
Triangulation
High schoolers calculate the triangulation of a box. In this triangulation lesson plan, students participate in an activity to find the calculate and then perform triangulations. They create a box and use formulas to determine the...
Curated OER
Space Science:Wherever You Go, There You Are
Students explore navigation principles by observing, measuring, and interpreting data to determine locations. Using a compass, compass rose, and a transit, they plot courses and discover the workings of the Global Positioning System...
Curated OER
Earth Science: In Depth Look at Earthquakes
Students engage in an interactive Internet lesson covering the reasons and results of earthquakes. After reading eyewitness accounts and viewing animations, they use seismograms to measure and locate the epicenters. In an ongoing study,...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Navigating at the Speed of Satellites
Students study the basic concepts of the Global Positioning System and how it increases the accuracy of navigation. They examine trilateration and how the speed of light is used to calculate distances.
Curated OER
Using Triangulation to Locate Meteorites from Witnessed Falls
Students participate in a mock investigation in which they must interview and record data given by 3 people ("witnesses") in an effort to triangulate the location of a meteorite.
Curated OER
Mathematics Within: Shape, Space & Measurement
Students experiment and analyze triangulation to assess degrees of combined angles, predict polygons that tessellate as well as extending of shapes to create tessellations. They explore the concept of why some polygons tessellate when...