Experience #3

Summary - A topographical map of surrounding area.

This map shows a 6.5 mile radius from our home.  This is illustrated again on our salt map.

Discuss the preparation that you made for this experiment:  I searched for both topographical and satellite maps to use for reference as well as the materials needed to make a topographical salt map (a variation from plotting the information on paper).  I also gathered materials such as a camera and a pizza box as one website recommended for enclosing the map.  I also decided that I should shrink the radius we are mapping to 6.5 miles so that significant landmarks (those my children would recognize) would be more prominent.

Describe the steps you went through to get your students to gain a real interest in this experiment:  After doing two other experiments on their Summer vacation I saw that interest was waning.  I decided to use a subtle approach this time and simply began mixing the dough and gathering supplies without much comment.  I thought that the salt map would catch their interest more than simply mapping on paper. Soon they saw me looking at maps and working with the dough and wanted to be a part of it all.  Together we formed Blue Mountain and its two parallel peaks and formed the creek that curves repeatedly across the landscape. The kids were naturally interested in using the camera and looking for geological features.  We especially enjoyed a little dirt road driving through the state game lands that we discovered just north of our home.  I modified the size of the area we were mapping to pique their interest.

What follow-up activities are planned for this experiment?  When the boys go to New Hampshire in a few weeks, we could look at the same online topographical maps but shift the view to include New Hampshire.  We will imagine how the salt map would look for the region where they will be staying with their grandmother.

Write the state or national standards that you feel this experiment fulfilled:

• Students use and select appropriate tools and technology to... collect data... and display data. (camera, online topographical/aerial maps)
• Use models to analyze the size and shape of the Earth, its surface and its interior.
• Read and analyze topographic and geologic maps.

Comments:  I thought that the new pizza box made a great platform on which to build the salt map.  The lid provides space for a legend of locations and their elevations and the 20 photos.  The box keeps the map safe for future use.

Our salt map with images on the lid (Click any image to zoom):

The following the photos correspond to the numbers on the salt map.  South Mountain is seen in some pictures but not on the map.

1.  Crossing the Conodoguinet near home (380 ft)

2. Looking across the field toward Blue Mtn. (380 ft)

3. Looking across a field toward South Mtn (482 ft)

4. View of Sterret's Gap on Blue Mtn. (475 ft)

5.  Letort Spring Run 4 miles from home (433 ft)

6. Letort Spring Run and WITF Woodlaand Project (452 ft)

7. Crossing Conodoguinet 5 miles form home (413 ft)

8.  Top of Sterret's Gap on Blue Mtn seeing valley (968 ft)

9.  More mountainous landscape north of Blue Mtn. (551 ft)

10. Looking toward Cove Mtn (615 ft)

11.  Between Cove Mtn. (L) and Blue Mtn. (far rt) (702 ft)

12. State game lands on Blue Mtn. NE of home (659 ft)

13. Forest with stream (807 ft) 

14. Down Blue Mtn toward valley (looking SE) (1,240 ft)

15. Down Blue Mtn. toward valley looking SW (1,240 ft)

16. Fields looking south near home (476 ft)

17.  Looking across Rt. 641 toward the north (459 ft)

18.  Fields on rt. 641 looking west (459 ft)

19.  North toward home Blue Mtn in distance  (450 ft)

20. Home in the valley between Blue and South Mtns (430 ft)

21. Development 6 miles east of home (390 ft)