Cornell University
Constructing and Visualizing Topographic Profiles
Militaries throughout history have used topography information to plan strategies, yet many pupils today don't understand it. Scholars use Legos and a contour gauge to understand how to construct and visualize topographic profiles. This...
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Changing Planet: Sea Levels Rising
Begin by showing a six-minute video, Changing Planet: Rising Sea Level as an anticipatory set. Pupils draw a topographic map of a potato continent. Finally, they will visit NOAA's sea levels online map and NASA's carbon dioxide...
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Red River Contours
In this contour map worksheet, students use a given contour map to answer 16 questions about the area shown on the map. Topics include the gradient from one spot to another, the elevation, the direction of the flow of the Red River, the...
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Lesson 2 Activity 2: Mapping Mount St. Helens
Students use topographic map skills to interpret impact of the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens on the volcano's topography, and draw profile views of Mount St. Helens before and after the May 18, 1980, eruption.
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Identifying Watersheds with Topographic Maps
Young scholars model a watershed and delineate one using topographic maps. In this hydrology lesson, students use aluminum foil to model a landscape and observe how water moves on it. They also observe the features of a topographic map...
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Maps Reinforcement
In this map worksheet, students complete 6 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions about 3 different map figures.
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Contour Map Worksheet #4
There are only four questions here. There is a contour map of Cottonwood, Colorado and the creek that crosses it. Earth scientists tell in what direction the creek flows, identify the highest elevation on the map, draw a topographic...
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Salad Tray 3D Topographic Model
Pupils explore the characteristics of topographical maps. They examine the relationship of contour lines and vertical elevation. Students create a three-dimensional model of a landscape represented by a topographic contour map.
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Topographic Map Unit Plan
Pupils examine topographic maps and discover how to decipher contour intervals, use contour lines and apply information to complete a topographic map lab. Working in groups, they identify the scale of the map, latitude and longitude,...
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From Maps to Models
Fourth graders study topography maps and learn the importance of their contour lines. In this map lesson students create their own topography map.
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Customized Topographic Maps and Models
Students explore the information depicted on topographic maps. They construct a 3-D topographic map of a local area. They go on a field trip to the depicted area and compare the 'real world' with their models.
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Introduction to Topographic Maps
Tenth graders create a topographic map and see how it represents different elevations. For this topographic maps lesson students read and interpret topographic maps.
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"Potato Mountain": Reading/Understanding Topographic Maps
Students investigate how to read topographic maps. In this map reading lesson students complete a topographic map activity.
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Mapping Mount St. Helens
Students study topographic maps and contour lines and construct a simple three-dimensional model of Mount St. Helens before the May 18, 1980, eruption. They use topographic map skills to interpret the impact of the May 18, 1980, eruption...
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Student Exploration: Building Topographic Maps
In this earthquake exploration learning exercise, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use "Building Topographic Maps Gizmo" to conduct several activities, completing short answer questions when finished.
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Worksheet 19 - Topographical Maps
In this map worksheet, students use information from given topical maps and locate the maxima and solve one dimensional wave equations. This two-page worksheet contains four problems.
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Working With Electronic Topography Maps
Junior geologists examine topographic maps online and learn how to read them. they answer seven associated follow-up questions. This lesson plan is only a general outline and does not provide the details or the websites that you...
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Volcano Contour Models Activity and Tracing the Highs and Lows in San Francisco
Students investigate how to draw topographic contours and read topographic maps.They examine the topography of San Francisco and contrast the elevation of different points within San Francisco.
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Common Themes
Tenth graders test usefulness of a model Earth by comparing its predictions to observations in the real world. In this landforms lesson students construct an island from a contour map using model clay then analyze the landscape...
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Gilligan's Island
Pupils investigate topographical maps and match actual landforms to them. In this topographical maps lesson students create "Gilligan's Island" to scale then answer questions about it such as what the highest elevations is and what...
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Mapping the Canyon
Students compare and contrast topographic maps and bathymetric maps. They investigate how bathymetric maps are made and how to interpret one.
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Building a Topographic Map from Benchmarks
For this map worksheet, students draw a topographic map using benchmark points. They draw contour lines showing 20 foot intervals.
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Making Topographic Maps and Mountain Profiles
Students study how to mark inclines and construct a mountain profile. In this topographic map lesson students mark contour intervals and draw mountain profiles.
Space Awareness
Valleys Deep and Mountains High
Sometimes the best view is from the farthest distance. Satellite imaging makes it possible to create altitude maps from far above the earth. A three-part activity has your young scientists play the role of the satellite and then use...