Arctic Climate Curriculum, Activity 1: Exploring the Arctic
Karin Kirk, Freelance Science Writer and Geoscientist; Anne Gold, University of Colorado at Boulder
This activity introduces students to the Arctic, including different definitions of the Arctic and exploration of the Arctic environment and Arctic people. Students set out on a virtual exploration of the geography ...

Topographic Maps from the US Geological Survey
Eileen Herrstrom, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This activity takes place in a laboratory setting and requires ~1.5-2 hours to complete. Students learn how to interpret a topographic map. They read contour lines, construct a topographic profile, and calculate ...

Contour Mapping With Playdough
Lynne Elkins, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
In this lab exercise, introductory geology/geography students create topographic maps for a playdough landscape of their own design. This lab was designed to teach students to learn how to work with topographic ...

Topographic Maps
Kyle Fredrick, Pennsylvania Western University - California
This exercise is a lab exercise to introduce elevation, landforms, and topographic maps to Introductory-level students. It is used to convey the principles of land variability and the processes that shape the ...

Northwest Passage
Glenn Richard, SUNY at Stony Brook
An investigation of changes in polar regions using Google Earth.

In Search of GLOBE Data
Gary Randolph, GLOBE
Students use on-line GLOBE search tools to locate and display data from schools and use the data to answer questions regarding weather and climate. Answer key provided.

The Heat is On: Understanding Local Climate Change
Dan Zalles, SRI International
Students draw conclusions about the extent to which multiple decades of temperature data about Phoenix suggest that a shift in local climate is taking place as opposed to exhibiting nothing more than natural ...

Using Google Earth & GIS to Create a Customized Map
Omowumi Alabi, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Students are introduced to cartographic concepts and learn how to use GIS to make a proper map with scale information, location (longitude and latitude), orientation and appropriate title.

Google Earth, Streams, and Glaciers
Allison Dunn, Worcester State University
In this assignment, students download Google Earth and use it to investigate some of the fluvial and glacial processes introduced in lecture.

Campus Mapping Tour
Helge Alsleben, Texas Christian University
This exercise allows students to learn how to produce a geologic map. Students will pair up and explore campus as a "virtual" field area. This works well in areas where outcrop is generally sparse, but ...