GIS In Education: GIS Activities and Projects
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Based on activity developed in summer workshops for educators by Chad Hallyburton, the NC Museum of Life and Science.

• National Standards
• Outcomes
• Focus Question
• Materials
• Procedures
• Assessment

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS

4F4  Individuals can use a systematic approach to thinking critically about risks and benefits.

5F5  Human activities can enhance potential for hazards.

OUTCOMES

Content

• Students will explore geographic changes to the landscape and human-made features in the eastern United States.

Process

• ArcView Skills:
  • Activate/manipulate themes
  • Use distance tool
  • Perform queries
  • Layout and print maps
• Choose among several possible solutions to a problem
• Present solutions in visual display format

FOCUS QUESTION

What kind of geographic and cultural information needs to be considered during shipment of hazardous wastes via the public highway system?

MATERIALS

Computer 

• ArcView software
• Printer

PROCEDURES

Your group has been hired as consultants to the Third Eye Trucking Company.  This company has just secured a contract to collect hazardous liquid wastes via tanker truck from waste-producing facilities near Charlotte, North Carolina.  The company will then transport the wastes to "We Luv Toxic Sludge" Chemical Detoxification Inc. near Louisville, KY.

Your job is to suggest the safest route of travel, avoiding major cities, mountainous travel, and river systems when possible.  Prepare a report suggesting a minimum of three routes to your client’s company.  The report should be in map form all clearly labeled listing the 1)overall distance of each route, 2)cities traveled through, and 3)areas where the route passes within five miles of major rivers.

Use ArcView GIS software to help make your decisions and to prepare your report.

ASSESSMENT

Present your proposals to other class members.  You represent the shipping company’s Board of Directors.