See also:  Mapping tools

This is taken from the Sourcebook for Teaching Science - Chapter 21.

Make certain to take photos of both maps and post them to the online photoalbum site following the instructions below. 

Thomas Edison received 1093 United States patents for his various inventions, including the electric light bulb, motion picture, and phonograph[i].  Although he is remembered for these inventions, his greatest contribution to science and technology was the development of the independent research laboratory.  Edison had extensive laboratories in New Jersey where he hired the best chemists, physicists, machinists, and inventors he could find.  Edison was successful in the laboratory because he worked collaboratively with others who shared his vision.  Edison was excellent at communicating his ideas to those on his research teams, and as a result, they were able to combine their talents and efforts to solve many real-world problems.  If you walk into modern research laboratories you will likely find blackboards, whiteboards, computer screens, and paper, filled with diagrams and pictures representing the topics being researched.  Researchers use these media to communicate difficult concepts to one another.   If “a picture is worth a thousand words,”  then a good diagram or map is worth ten thousand!  Diagrams and maps represent relationships and allow researchers to communicate more easily with one another.  The following map-making activities are designed to help students follow and deliver clear instructions.

Activity 21.1– Creating a map from written directions 

Create a map from the following written directions. Use a fine-tip pencil and the appropriate symbols from figure 21.3.

1. Print out this template and orient in landscape mode. 

2. Exit through the south gate of the school and immediately turn west on the primary highway on which the school is located, and travel 1 kilometer (1 km) to the county border.

3.  Continue traveling west 2 km until you see a church on your right.

4. Travel northwest for 2 km on the light duty road that intersects the highway just west of the church.

5. At 2 km you cross railroad tracks that are perpendicular to the road.

6. Turn northeast on the dirt road that parallels the train tracks.

7. Travel 2 km northeast on the dirt road until you cross a stream.

8. Get out of the car and follow the meandering stream in a westward direction for approximately 3 km until it enters a forest.

9. Look for the entrance to a mine on the north side of the creek immediately after entering the forest. This is your destination.

Activity 21.2 – Creating a map from spoken directions

Create a map from the following spoken instructions.  Your instructor will read these aloud. Use a fine-tip pencil and the appropriate symbols from figure 21.3.

• • Take photos of your maps using your smart phone

  • Upload photos of your maps from smart phone or computer via email. 

    • Upload your photos to this album: csun.science.education.sed555s12@picasaweb.com

• Your students can upload files to a collaborative online resource such as:

  • Google Classroom

  • Dropbox

  • Collaborative photo album

Admin

• 21.1

• 21.2