Teaching Notes

Example Output

Screen capture of Google Earth map showing the locations of litter and trashcans in a park or school ground. User-generated data will differ.

Grade Level

This chapter is designed to be used as a professional development activity for educators. It can also be used with students. It is written primarily for students in grades 9-12. However, it can also be used by students in grades 4-8 who wish to venture into the world of technology. Undergraduate students who are new to the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers will also benefit from this chapter.

Learning Goals

After completing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Use simple handheld recreational model GPS receivers;
• Download and integrate GPS data into Google Earth;
• Measure distances between points;
• Analyze spatial patterns and draw conclusions;
• Generate a screenshot showing study area with mapped locations; and
• Present findings to decision makers.

Rationale

Although the exercise of mapping the location of trash in a park or on a school campus seems to be a fairly straightforward one, it helps users to learn the basic skills of data collection, management, integration, analysis, and visualization. These basic skills are important for users to have mastered prior to moving on to more complex geospatial activities.

The same skill-set illustrated in this chapter can be used to answer other geospatially-based decision-making activities such as:

Background Information

Information about Litter:

• NOAA Marine Debris Website
• Keep America Beautiful

• Google Earth for educators: Information about using Google Earth and activities that can be done with it (developed by Google and Discovery Education).
• Designing and Creating Earth Science Lessons with Google Earthâ„¢,(PDF file) Kluge, S., Patrick, D., & Fermann, E. (2007).
  

Instructional Strategies

Imagine working through the scenario discussed in the Case Study with local citizens, students or park volunteers. On the surface the question seems simple: where are the optimum places to locate trash cans and recycle bins? Where are they most needed and yet still easily accessible for maintaining on a regular basis? How many are needed? How large? How would you coach a team to come up with a concise problem statement and parameters that the whole team agrees upon? How would you approach the data collection task?

If necessary, review the latitude and longitude coordinate system with students. Although coordinates can be recorded in several different formats with a GPS, decimal degrees is commonly used for mapping applications. The format settings on the eTrex Legend are found at Main Menu > Setup > Units > Position Format. Select hddd.ddddd for decimal degrees. Prepare the units in advance of the practice session.

Participants should be engaged and motivated to take ownership of this activity. Consider introducing the activity by showing photos of trash around a school or a park. Ask a series of questions aimed at identifying and defining the issue:

• What can you see here?
• Is there a problem?
• What is / are the problem(s)?
• What can we do about it?
• What do we need to know, or what data need to be collected?
• How can we describe locations? Is there an electronic way of doing this?
• How do we collect and display the data?
• What tools and skills are needed?
• What type of data analysis is required?
• Is any other information required?
• How can we make a good decision about what can be done?
• How do we present data, analysis, and conclusions?

Before collecting data, discuss with the group how they will quantify the litter. If they find 4 gum wrappers on the ground, ask if they should mark four waypoints, or will that be considered one point of litter? Ask participants if the litter needs to be a certain distance apart to be considered two waypoints. For example, if there are 2 hamburger wrappers 30cm apart, will that be one point or two? Have the team come to a consensus on measurements before collecting data.

Prior to going outdoors to collect data, users should be familiar with the GPS model being used and how to mark waypoints. If available, use a document camera to display the different pages of the GPS unit and steps for marking a waypoint. Once users are familiar with the functions of the unit, have them work in small groups to practice working with the GPS in a controlled situation, such as on a ball field or outdoor playground.

The number of GPS units will most likely be the limiting factor. Group users according to the number of GPS units available for the activity, ideally have one GPS for every 3-4 users. If fewer GPS units are available for use, consider setting up a stations-based lab activity, so that all participants have something to do during the activity. Loaner GPS units are available from a variety of sources, see Going Further for ideas.

In the small teams of 3-4 participants, one person can mark the waypoints with the GPS, a second is responsible for recording the data (the coordinates) on a paper datasheet along with a description, and, third group member can serve as the litter "scout". If digital cameras are available, one group member can photograph the litter to add an illustration to the placemark. Have students rotate roles during the activity.

Learning Contexts

This lesson has users collecting data and visualizing locations of litter around a school, however the process of marking waypoints and importing them into Google Earth could be used in a variety of contexts. The most basic skills this lesson focuses on are problem identification, problem solving, geospatial analysis and map presentation skills. This lesson provides opportunities for users to develop and master these hands-on skills. Examples of other specific contexts in which the processes described in the lesson could be used are:

• Where are fire hydrants located, and where should a new fire hydrant be installed?
• Where are fast food restaurants located, and where should a new one be proposed?
• Where are the homes of elderly people located, and where should a new health facility be located?
• Cataloging plant species along transects.
• Mapping locations of fossils.
• Tracking field trip routes and stops.

National Science Standards

• 12ASI1.2 Design and conduct scientific investigations.
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  Designing and conducting a scientific investigation requires introduction to the major concepts in the area being investigated, proper equipment, safety precautions, assistance with methodological problems, recommendations for use of technologies, clarification of ideas that guide the inquiry, and scientific knowledge obtained from sources other than the actual investigation. The investigation may also require student clarification of the question, method, controls, and variables; student organization and display of data; student revision of methods and explanations; and a public presentation of the results with a critical response from peers. Regardless of the scientific investigation performed, students must use evidence, apply logic, and construct an argument for their proposed explanations.
• 12ASI1.3 Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications.
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  A variety of technologies, such as hand tools, measuring instruments, and calculators, should be an integral component of scientific investigations. The use of computers for the collection, analysis, and display of data is also a part of this standard. Mathematics plays an essential role in all aspects of an inquiry. For example, measurement is used for posing questions, formulas are used for developing explanations, and charts and graphs are used for communicating results.
• 12ASI2.2 Scientists conduct investigations for a wide variety of reasons. For example, they may wish to discover new aspects of the natural world, explain recently observed phenomena, or test the conclusions of prior investigations or the predictions of current theories.
• 8ASI1.1 Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
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  Students should develop the ability to refine and refocus broad and ill-defined questions. An important aspect of this ability consists of students' ability to clarify questions and inquiries and direct them toward objects and phenomena that can be described, explained, or predicted by scientific investigations. Students should develop the ability to identify their questions with scientific ideas, concepts, and quantitative relationships that guide investigation.
• 8ASI1.2 Design and conduct a scientific investigation.
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  Students should develop general abilities, such as systematic observation, making accurate measurements, and identifying and controlling variables. They should also develop the ability to clarify their ideas that are influencing and guiding the inquiry, and to understand how those ideas compare with current scientific knowledge. Students can learn to formulate questions, design investigations, execute investigations, interpret data, use evidence to generate explanations, propose alternative explanations, and critique explanations and procedures.
• 8ASI1.3 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
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  The use of tools and techniques, including mathematics, will be guided by the question asked and the investigations students design. The use of computers for the collection, summary, and display of evidence is part of this standard. Students should be able to access, gather, store, retrieve, and organize data, using hardware and software designed for these purposes.

National Geography Standards

The World in Spatial Terms

1. How to Use Maps and Other Geographic Representations, Tools, and Technologies to Acquire, Process, and Report Information From a Spatial Perspective

3. How to Analyze the Spatial Organization of People, Places, and Environments on Earth's Surface

Student Evaluation

After collecting the data using a GPS, importing and analyzing the data in Google Earth, student groups can prepare and present their possible solutions and conclusions. Consider using a well structured rubric to communicate expectations in a clear and concise format to help guide student work on the activity. Here is a list of possible assessments for a rubric:

• Definition of the problem
• Student group plan or procedure
• Data collection, including written description
• Data imported into Google Earth or other GIS software
• Display of data including correct icons for each point
• Criteria for recommendations
• Final data display
• Final presentation
• Teamwork and equality of contributions by group members

Time Required

At least three 45-minute periods will be needed to fully complete the activity outlined in this chapter.

• Part 1 (30 minutes): Download and Install Google Earth. This can be done before class. If this is the students' first use of Google Earth, allow time for exploration of the software.
• Case Study and Part 2 (45 minutes): Introduction to GPS, How to use the GPS receiver; Applications of GPS; Introduction to EET exercise
• Part 3 (45 minutes): Data Collection, download to Google Earth (version 5 or higher)
  
• Parts 4 and 5 (45 minutes): Plotting data, analyzing patterns, making conclusions, creating a screen capture of map, presenting results and discussions.

Other Resources

Data Recording Sheet (Acrobat (PDF) 36kB Sep28 10) (in PDF) for use with this Exercise

Litter Retriever Practice KMZ file (KMZ File 2kB Aug18 10)

How to use a GPS Unit

• GPS on the Move (in PDF)

Google Earth Tutorials

• Google Earth Tutorials

Google Earth User Guide

• Google Earth User Guide