Global Positioning
System Use in Recording Mass movements in West Virginia
Grade Level: 6-8
Subject:
Earth Science
Learning Outcome: The Students will Locate
positions of objects in an area and correctly place them on a map, define
scale and explain how scale can be used to find distance on a map,
learn and use the vocabulary of GPS ,learn to use a handheld
GPS receiver to perform a survey ,plot a map from collected data ,and investigate
other ways to use GPS to record location of geologic deformations in WV.
Duration of Lesson:
4 class periods.
Materials:
String (20-25 meters long)
Hammer
Wooden stakes (2) each about 1.5 meters long
Shelf or wrapping paper (at least one meter long)
Protractor sextant - Run baseline string through hole
in protractor. Knot string on stake A. Lay protractor flat on stake A with
0-180 degree line on baseline string. Move straw to 'sight' object.
Handheld GPS Receiver (Garmin GPS III)
GPS - Computer Interface Program
Technology Tools/Courseware:
Garmin GPS 3 (or equivalent) Owner's Manual
& Reference.Garmin website.GPS
receiver operation information and hardware specific items on "How
stuff works" site.
Teacher Notes: Some
explanation or reinforcement of basic geometry skills is necessary so that
students understand why they are measuring angles and distances and how
these measurements relate to map making. Students should be familiar with
the concept of latitude and longitude.
Procedures:
Segment 1
-
Choose an area outside to be mapped
-
Hammer two stakes labeled A and B into the ground outside
to create a baseling no more than 20 meters long. Attach string to both
stakes. The line should create one edge of your area. Record the actual
length of the baseline on the data table.
-
Hold sextant on top of Stake A in line with the string
-
Sight an object that is to be mapped. Perhaps a tree or a
rock
-
Record the angle indicated by the sextant int the data table
-
Go to Stake B and repeat the sighting of the same object.
Record results in the data table.
-
Repeat steps 3-6 for ll the objects you wish to map and record
all results in the data table.
-
Along the bottom of the shelf paper, draw your baseline using
a scale of 1 cm = 1 meter
-
Mark the ends of the baseline A and B to correspond to the
stakes
-
Use the sextant on the baseline you have drawn and draw the
angles recorded for the first object sighted. The point where the two meet
is the location of the object sighted.
-
Measure and record the map distance, in cm between some of
the objects. Go outside and measure the actual distance in meters. Record
in the chart.
Data and Observations
Baseline Distance: ________________ meters
|
Object
|
Angle at Stake A
|
Angle at Stake B
|
Distance on map (cm)
|
Actual Distance (m)
|
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Remember that the scale is 1 cm = 1 meter
Discussion
Why was it necessary to measure the baseline?
How could this procedure be used to map your city? Your state?
Segment 2
This activity involves the use of a handheld GPS receiver
to perform a survey and use the data to plot a map. The GPS receiver will
be used to record the latitude and longitude of physical locations in the
site to be surveyed. You may choose to locate sites such as:
-
Perimeter of a buildings, parking lots, etc.
-
Location of sidewalks, streets, fences
-
Positions of light poles, stop signs, pitcher's mound on
softball diamond, fire hydrants
The survey data points will be collected in the waypoint
memory of the GPS-3.
Modifications:
Modifications will be based on those listed in the student's IEP.
Enrichment Activities:
Investigate how this same principle
of measuring angles and lengths could be used to determine distances in
space
Investigate how satellites use this principle to determine
where they are in space.
Assessment:
| 4= Excellent
Participation |
3= Above
Average Participation |
2= Average
Participation |
1= Below
Average Participation |
0= Unsatisfactory
No positive participation |
| Procedures
Followed |
Procedures
Followed |
Procedures
Followed |
Procedures
Followed |
Procedures
not Followed |
| Completed
experiment, wrote paragraph, attempted 1 enrichment question |
Completed
experiment, wrote paragraph. |
Completed
most of experiment |
Did not complete
experiment but completed setup |
Did not complete
the experiment |
Alignment
with WV IGO's :
Geography 7.23,7.57
Science 8.19,8.17,8.6,8.81
National Standards
Reference List
-
Editors. (1997) GPS III: Owner's Manual & Reference.
Taiwan:Garmin Corp.
-
Global Positioning System Standard Positioning Service Specification,
2nd Edition, June2, 1995. Available on line from United
States Coast Guard Navigation Center
-
NAVSTAR GPS User Equipment Introduction. 1996. Available
on line from United States Coast
Guard Navigation Center
-
GPS Joint Program Office. 1997. ICD-GPS-200: GPS Interface
Control Document. ARINC Research.Available on line from United
States Coast Guard Navigation Center
-
Hoffmann-Wellenhof, B. H. Lichtenegger, and J. Collins. 1994.
GPS: Theory and Practice. 3rd ed.New York: Springer-Verlag.
-
Institute of Navigation. 1980, 1884, 1986, 1993. Global
Positioning System monographs. Washington, DC: The Institute of Navigation.
-
Kaplan, Elliott D. ed. 1996. Understanding GPS: Principles
and Applications. Boston: Artech House Publishers.
-
Leick, Alfred. 1995. GPS Satellite Surveying. 2nd.
ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
-
National Imagery and Mapping Agency. 1997. Department of
Defense World Geodetic System 1984: Its Definition and Relationship with
Local Geodetic Systems. NIMA TR8350.2 Third Edition. 4 July 1997. Bethesda,
MD: National Imagery and Mapping Agency. Available on line from National
Imagery and Mapping Agency
-
Parkinson, Bradford W. and James J. Spilker. eds. 1996. Global
Positioning System: Theory and Practice. Volumes I and II. Washington,
DC: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.
-
Wells, David, ed. 1989. Guide to GPS positioning.
Fredericton, NB, Canada: Canadian GPS Associates.
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