UTPA STEM/CBI Courses/Environmental Impact Assessment/Map, Compass, and GPS Skills

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Course Title: Environmental Impact Assessment

Lecture Topic: Map, Compass, and GPS Skills

Instructor: Frank J Dirrigl, Jr.

Institution: The University of Texas Pan-American

Backwards Design[edit | edit source]

Course Objectives

  • Primary Objectives- By the next class period students will be able to:
    • Understand how to read a topographical map including symbols, elevation, and directions
    • Use a compass to orientate a map, take a bearing, and follow directions
    • Use a Global Positioning System (GPS) to take a waypoint, find latitude and longitude, and UTM coordinates
  • Sub Objectives- The objectives will require that students be able to:
    • What slope is and how to calculate rise (elevation) over run (distance)
    • Use a grid or coordinate system
    • Read degrees and (ticks) on a compass
    • Follow a set of detailed directions for the GPS unit
  • Difficulties- Students may have difficulty:
    • Orienting their sense of direction and converting it to degrees
    • Reading contour lines on a topographical map
    • Comprehending UTM grids and finding points on a topographical map
  • Real-World Contexts- There are many ways that students can use this material in the real-world, such as:
    • Skills that will allow a beginning environmental scientist communicate the location of a site or specimen


Model of Knowledge

  • Concept Map
    • Analytical Skills
      • Reading a Map and Compass and GPS unit
      • Calculating area of a land plot
      • Taking compass reading with declination
    • Teamwork Building Skills
      • Working as part of a group to construct a compass course
      • Working with the group to complete another team’s compass course
  • Content Priorities
    • Enduring Understanding
      • Locate a project area in the field and map and be able to convey this information to others so that they may find it
      • Locate particular landscape / biological features from maps or descriptions
      • Orient themselves on a map
  • Important to Do and Know
    • Compass directions
    • Map symbols and elevations
    • UTM coordinate grids
    • GPS menu operation and limitations
  • Worth Being Familiar with
    • Orienteering skills (i.e., it is not necessary to do any of the skill set fast, but could come in handy in search and rescue situations


Assessment of Learning

  • Formative Assessment
    • In Class (groups)
      • Assess prior knowledge of compass and map us with pre-quiz (no grade)
      • Assess teams ability to work together to find points on a compass course in the shortest period of time (no grade- but reward with the golden compass award plaque with team names)
  • Homework (individual)
    • Complete the Lost Lake compass exercise
    • Complete the Topographical Map UTM exercise to locate UTPA buildings
  • Summative Assessment
    • Student is assessed by the number of tasks completed successfully
    • Student is assessed by their participation in the challenge


Legacy Cycle[edit | edit source]

OBJECTIVE

By the next class period, students will be able to:

  • Orientate a compass and compensate for declination through adjustment or addition/subtraction of degrees
  • Orientate a map to allow compass bearing readings from the map to compass and compass to map
    • Practice this skill inside with Lost Lake exercise
    • Practice this skill outdoors on UTPA campus
  • Use a GPS unit to map a waypoint and determine latitude and longitude and UTM coordinates in the field and on a map using a UTM grid
  • Read a topographical map for elevation, common symbols, and calculate slope of a hill
  • Use a pocket stereoscope to determine landform and vegetation
  • Use grids to calculate the acres of a land plot
  • Determine the elevation of a pond or hill using a map or GPS unit

The objectives will require that students be able to:

  • Locate a project area in the field and map and be able to convey this information to others so that they may find it
  • Locate particular landscape / biological features from maps or descriptions
  • Orient themselves on a map

THE CHALLENGE

You have found rare plants and animals on the UTPA campus. Using a map, compass, and GPS, plot the points so that other environmental scientists can follow your trail and find them too.

GENERATE IDEAS

  1. How can you send someone to a location on a topographical and/or aerial map where you have found a rare species of plant or animal?
  2. Students will be handed a compass and asked to find where north is and walk in this direction
  3. Students will be asked to orientate a map so that it faces the direction they are facing
  4. Students will be asked to take a bearing on a tree or object
  5. What is orienteering? What is geocaching?

MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES

Learn how to use a map, compass, and GPS unit through instruction, video, and provided web links (See Blackboard supporting page).

RESEARCH & REVISE

You will set up a compass and GPS course (i.e., orienteering and geocaching). Group A will construct the compass course and then travel the GPS course. Group B will construct the GPS course and then travel the compass course.

TEST YOUR METTLE

Construct a concept map about: What is important to know when working with a map, compass, and GPS?

GO PUBLIC

Try your hand at geocaching with friends by finding two caches located on campus.