Introduction

Geography is a fascinating science that studies the relationship between humans and nature. It is through geography that we understand our actions in the environment in which we live and how it changes. Landforms are one of the main components of the study of geography, and they refer to the set of characteristics of the Earth's surface. We can identify different types of landforms, such as mountains, plains, plateaus, among others.

The formation and transformation of landforms is a natural process, however, it can be influenced by human action. Landform modifying agents can be external, such as wind, water, and climate variation, or internal, such as the movement of tectonic plates. It is interesting to note how the action of these agents promotes the constant transformation of the landscape, giving rise to new landforms.

The study of landforms helps us to understand natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, among others. In addition, it is essential for urban planning, construction of roads, bridges and dams, as well as for agriculture, since it determines the types of soil and predominant vegetation in each place.

Contextualization

In the world we live in, landforms play a crucial role. The different landforms are closely related to the climate, the type of vegetation, the soil, and even the presence of mineral resources. Thus, it influences the way in which human activities are carried out in different areas. For example, a mountainous region may be more suitable for hydroelectric power generation, while the plains are generally used more for agriculture.

Throughout history, human action on landforms has intensified. Agricultural activities, the construction of cities and infrastructure, mining, among others, are examples of how we humans transform and shape the landscape around us. Understanding these changes is essential for us to be able to plan and develop our activities in a sustainable way, minimizing the negative impacts on the environment.

Practical Activity: "Building Our World: Understanding Landforms"

Project Objective

Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 to build a model that represents the different landforms. They should also identify the influences that this relief has on climate, vegetation and human use, as well as discuss the impacts and transformations caused by human activity.

Detailed Project Description

Students should:

1. Choose a type of relief to represent in their model (plain, mountain, plateau, etc.);
2. Elaborate a theoretical research to understand the characteristics of this relief, how it is formed, and its influence on climate, vegetation and human use;
3. Build a model of this relief, using recyclable materials;
4. Identify the transformations that occur in this relief due to human action and represent them in their model.

Students should dedicate themselves to this project for at least 12 hours, which can be distributed over a week or more, depending on the class schedule.

Required Materials

• Cardboard, papier-mâché, clay or any other recyclable materials for the construction of the model;
• Paints and brushes for the graphic representation;
• Markers and cardboard for the information cards;
• Computer with internet access for research.

Step by Step

1. Students should organize themselves into groups of 3 to 5 people and choose a type of landform to focus on in their research.
2. Each group should conduct a comprehensive research on the chosen landform, discovering the natural forms of formation, the influences on climate, vegetation and human use.
3. Based on the research, the groups should start to design and build their models.
4. The models should include not only the relief, but also other related elements, such as vegetation, climate and human activities.
5. Students should identify the transformations that occur in this relief due to human action and include them in their model.
6. After the construction, each group should create a presentation to explain what they learned during the project.

Project Deliverables

• A model representing the chosen landform and its characteristics, including human transformations.
• A written report detailing the project, which should include:
  1. Introduction: Contextualization of the chosen landform, explanation of its relevance and application in the real world and the objective of the project.
  2. Development: Theory on the formation of the landform, details of the construction of the model, the methodology used and the results obtained, including what they learned during the research.
  3. Conclusion: Summary of the main points, lessons learned and conclusions drawn from the project.
  4. Bibliography: References used for the research and construction of the model.
• An oral presentation explaining the project and the model created.

It is expected that, through this activity, students will be able to understand the depth and complexity of landforms, the impact of human action on them and the connection of landforms with other aspects, such as vegetation and climate.