Course Description

SATELLITES, COMPUTERS, AND MAPPING is an interdisciplinary course that is designed to show students how satellites and remote-sensing are used to solve problems.  A variety of tools, including the Internet, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS),  will be explored as students analyze, interpret, and generate their own hypothesis and use critical thinking skills to solve their problems.
 
 

Course Outline

I.  Exploring Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Examine various definitions of Geographic Information Systems and its uses.
• Interpret and use existing data provided by GIS to answer questions.
• Debate the best solution to a problem using GIS data.

II.  Mapping

• Use visual spatial intelligence to analyze maps and show how they use layers of  information.
• Create and design maps with various layers.

 
III. Gathering information through satellites, aerial photographs, and digital maps

• Analyze spatial relationships using aerial photographs.
•  Recognize and identify how satellites are designed and launched and how they  collect data.
• Analyze data received and maps created by remote sensing.
• Retrieve, store, and use graphic files.

 
IV.  Generate student designed projects

• Search the North Carolina GIS database and formulate a problem question which can be answered using this data
• Determine which data layers are necessary to answer the problem question.
• Create a computer-generated map and present the solution.

V.  Apply GIS technology to a community project

•  Identify and explain water quality issues or another community problem.
• Collect data from the Neuse River using water quality test kits.
• Store and analyze data on GIS maps.
• Draw conclusions about the quality of water in the Neuse.

VI.  Using Geographic Positioning System

• Explain how GPS works.
• Measuring the distance from a satellite to you.
• Use GPS to determine latitude and longitude.
• Explain difficulties in using GPS.

VII.  Manipulate Geographic Information Systems and input data to generate maps

• Use ArcView 3.0 to create new thematic options
• Input data to create legends
• Add reference points and draw lines
• Use a variety of data tables and graphs to display information

 VIII.  Design and present a small group project using Geographic Information Systems

•  Critically design a problem and formulate a hypothesis based on research
• Collect necessary data and use it to create an interactive map
• Communicate your results and draw conclusions to the group
• Use HTML authoring to present your projects to others on the school’s website

Course Introduction   Student Projects  Internet Resources  Ligon Home Page  Email  Rita Hagevik or Ann Thompson Ligon GT Magnet Middle School 706 E. Lenoir Street Raleigh, North Carolina  27601