Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Constructing and Visualizing Topographic Profiles

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geographic Regions and Backyard Geology with the USGS Tapestry Map

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A beautiful tapestry map of North America is examined by geology masters. The map incorporates the topography and geology of different regions. You can purchase printed copies or a large poster of the map, or if you have a computer lab...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

once and future MOON

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Beyond the phases of the moon, this comprehensive lesson plan covers geologic history and geology. Amateur astronauts examine photos of the lunar landscape, experiment with the creation of craters, and delve into information about the...
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 6: Biomes and Landscapes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Aside from the amazing animals in Gorongosa National Park, what else is there to discover? The sixth installment in an eight-part themed series contains an interactive map where scholars can learn more about the geographic features of...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Valleys Deep and Mountains High

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MAPS AND TOPOGRAPHY

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students analyze the details of a topographic map and create one of their own by utilyzing a map of elevations.
Lesson Plan
Forest Foundation

Fire Investigation and Experimentation

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Assess the probability of a wildfire with several lessons about fire danger ratings and risk factors. After experimenting with fuel moisture, learners explore the various elements that could contribute to a wildfire, such as wind...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Seismic Activity and California Landforms

For Teachers 6th Standards
By the 19th lesson in the 20-part series, scholars realize volcanoes and earthquakes are related to plate boundaries. The lesson extends and applies the knowledge by having individuals create a bumper sticker for one specific area of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Customized Topographic Maps and Models

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working With Electronic Topography Maps

For Teachers 6th - 10th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracing Highs and Lows in San Francisco

For Teachers 9th - 12th
On a topographic map, students identify the scale bar, north arrow, and contour interval. They then locate a hill on the map and make note of the contour lines. Students then locate other places with similar contour line patterns....
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

The Tide is High, but I’m Holding On… Using ICESat Data to Investigate Sea Level Rise

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Based on the rate of melting observed from 2003-2007 in Greenland, it would take less than 10 minutes to fill the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium. The 17th lesson in a series of 21 has scholars use the ICESat data to understand the ice mass...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcano Contour Models Activity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students experiment with water levels and plastic topographic volcano models to determine the contour lines that would be used to create a topograpohic map of a volcano. They use the traced lines to actually develop the map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Americans and Topography at Rose Bay

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students visit a wetland ecosystem. While they are there, students explore how to read topography maps of Rose Bay.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Topography and Geology of Deerfield

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explain the topographical and geographical makeup of Deerfield. They explain the Massachusetts section of the Connecticut River Valley is located in the bed of glacial Lake Hitchcock, which contributes to its being a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ping!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Using "mystery bathymetry" shoeboxes, young explorers simulate sonar action to map out the topography of an un-viewable landscape. This classic activity helps physical oceanography learners understand how sonar works. It would be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Dimensional Geology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a fine lesson plan on geology designed for high schoolers. Learners use rocks, fossils, and other geological clues to determine the geology of an area. Then, they make recommendations to a fictitious city council about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the Aegean Seafloor

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Earth science learners create a two-dimensional topographic map of the floor of the Aegean Sea. They use it to then create a three-dimensional model of the ocean floor features. This comprehensive resource delivers strong background...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slope and Topographic Maps

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate slopes as they study topographic maps. For this algebra lesson, students discuss and apply the concept of slopes to graphing and analyzing data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Japan

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students research the islands of Japan to investigate their location in the world and the islands' characteristics. They comprehend map making and topography. Studnets construct a scale-model map of the Japanese islands and surrounding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Undersea Adventure

For Teachers K - 6th
Students research and demonstrate their knowledge of information about life and topography on the ocean floor. They experiment with and choose watercolor techniques to portray a vivid undersea setting using colors, textures, and shapes.
Lesson Plan
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Wind Wise Education

Where is it Windy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
How is the wind up there? The class builds a topography model using materials available in the classroom, then place wind flags in different locations on the landscape. Using a fan as a wind source, pupils collect data about how wind...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Playground Profiling—Topographic Profile Mapping

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Kuril islands stretch from Japan to Russia, and the ongoing dispute about their jurisdiction prevents many scientific research studies. Scholars learn to create a topographic profile of a specific area around their schools. Then they...
Lesson Plan
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KOG Ranger Program

Fire Behavior in Forests

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Understanding the ways a fire will act is a key factor in fire safety and fire prevention. Young campers focus on how the weather and terrain can affect the behavior of a fire with topographic maps and different...