Setting the Stage

Greetings, young explorers! In Geography, we study the spaces we inhabit, the places within them, and how they all interconnect. And one of the most important tools we have to make sense of our planet Earth is the map. But have you ever wondered how maps are made? Or how it’s possible to see our planet from above, as if we were soaring through the sky?

To answer these questions, we need to get to know two incredible technologies: satellites and aerial photography. Satellites are like little floating cities in space, orbiting Earth and sending back valuable information about our planet. And aerial photographs are images taken from above, helping us see the world from a whole new angle.

Why is this important?

First, understanding how maps are made helps us understand our planet better. Think about a world map, for example. It’s a representation of our entire planet on a flat surface, which is no easy task. To create maps, cartographers (people who make maps) use information gathered from satellites and aerial photographs, along with lots of calculations and drawing.

Second, space technologies like satellites are essential for many of the things we do every day. They’re used to predict the weather, to help us find our way when we’re lost, to monitor the environment, and even to make a simple phone call.

Finally, learning about satellites and aerial photography can be a lot of fun! You’ll get to discover new things about our planet, develop skills like observation and teamwork, and even create your very own “explorer maps.” Are you ready to embark on this adventure with us?

Hands-on Activity: “Exploring with Eyes in the Sky”

Project Goal

The goal of this project is for students to gain an understanding of how satellites and aerial photography are used to create maps. By the end, they should be able to create an “Explorer Map” of a region of their choice using satellite images and aerial photographs.

Project Description

This project will be done in small groups of 3-5 students. Each group will choose a region of the United States to explore, such as a city, a national park, a beach, or a mountain range. They will research their chosen location, collect satellite images and aerial photographs, and use these images to create an “Explorer Map.”

Materials

• Poster board or cardboard
• Colored pencils, markers, crayons
• Safety scissors
• Glue
• Computer or tablet with internet access for research
• Printer (if available) or access to a print shop

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose a Location: As a group, decide on a location to explore. It can be a city, a national park, a beach, or a mountain range. Research the location and find out what makes it special.

2. Gather Images: Using a computer or tablet, search for satellite images and aerial photographs of your chosen location. There are many websites that provide these images for free, such as Google Earth and Google Maps.

3. Explorer Map: Using the images you’ve gathered, create an “Explorer Map” of your chosen region. You can cut out the images and glue them onto the poster board, drawing the outline of your location around them.

4. Important Information: Along with the images, write important information about your location, such as its name, location, population (if it’s a city), major geographical features, and so on.

5. Decorate: Now it’s time to make your map look great! Use colored pencils, markers, and crayons to color in the images and draw other features, such as trees, rivers, mountains, buildings, people, etc.

6. Presentation: Each group should present their “Explorer Map” to the class, explaining what they learned about their chosen location and how they used satellite images and aerial photographs to create their map.

Remember, explorers, this is a team project! It’s important for everyone in the group to participate and contribute their ideas. And don’t forget to have fun as you explore with eyes in the sky!