This activity has benefited from input from faculty educators beyond the author through a review and suggestion process. This review took place as a part of a faculty professional development workshop where groups of faculty reviewed each others' activities and offered feedback and ideas for improvements. To learn more about the process On the Cutting Edge uses for activity review, see http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/review.html.

Initial Publication Date: August 17, 2010

Projections and Vector Analysis: Biotic and abiotic properties along the Clark Fork and Blackfoot

Alisa Wade, University of Montana

Summary
Lab to introduce projections and vector analysis via studying local abiotic and biotic characteristics.

Context

Type and level of course
GIS in geosciences; upper-division introductory GIS course

Geoscience background assumed in this assignment
None

GIS/remote sensing skills/background assumed in this assignment
None beyond previous 8 weeks of class.

Software required for this assignment/activity:
ArcInfo 9.3

Time required for students to complete the assignment:
7-12 hours

GIS/remote sensing techniques students learn in this assignment

Gain familiarity with projections and recognize distortions
Review and conduct single layer vector analyses
Conduct dual layer vector analyses
Learn a bit about abiotic and biotic characteristics along the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers

Other content/concepts goals for this activity

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Synthesis of analysis into IMRAD format