Introduction

Contextualization

Cartography is the discipline encompassing the creation, production, dissemination, use and study of maps. It plays a crucial role in understanding the world around us, as it provides the tools to interpret the spatial organization of both physical and human phenomena. In this project, we will focus on three key concepts of cartography: scale, projection, and geospatial technologies.

A map scale is a mathematical relationship between the real-world size of an object or place and its size as it appears on a map. Using precise scales is essential to fairly and accurately represent reality. For example, scales can help us understand the distance between two points on a map.

A map projection is a method of representing the Earth's curved surface on a flat surface, such as a map. Projections can preserve area, distance, shape, or direction correctly, but not all at the same time. The choice of projection is crucial to how we perceive the Earth.

Geospatial technologies refer to the use of technology to collect and analyze geographic information. Geospatial technologies include the Global Positioning System (GPS), aerial photography, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which are powerful tools for spatial analysis.

Background

Maps are deeply interwoven into our daily lives. We navigate the world using digital maps, analyze deforestation patterns with satellite imagery, plan cities with the help of GIS, and use GPS to track our morning runs. Consequently, having a grasp of cartography can greatly enhance our perception of the world and equip us with the tools to make informed decisions.

Scale, projection, and geospatial technologies are heavily present in geopolitics. Decisions on which projections to use can impact how we see the world and may even have political implications. Scale can affect the way we interpret data and may distort our understanding of certain phenomena. Geospatial technologies, with their ability to collect and analyze geospatial data, have the potential to influence public policy and natural resource management.

Hands-On Activity: "The World at Your Fingertips"

Project Title:

The World at Your Fingertips

Project Goal:

This project aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of scale, map projections, and geospatial technologies, allowing them to experience these concepts firsthand.

Project Description:

In this project, groups of students will create a world map by hand, using the knowledge acquired on scale and projections. For this, they will select a map projection to create their representation of the world, researching its advantages, disadvantages, and the distortions it causes. Additionally, students will define and apply a scale to their map, so the represented dimensions are proportional.

In parallel, each group will use a geospatial technology tool (such as Google Earth or freely available GIS software) to compare their handmade map with a digital representation of the world, noting the similarities and differences.

Materials:

• Poster paper (A1 size)
• Colored pens or pencils
• Ruler
• Computer with internet access
• Geospatial technology software (Suggested: Google Earth or QGIS)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Divide the class into groups of 3-5 students.

2. Each group will select a map projection for their work, researching this projection and the implications of their choice.

3. Next, the groups must define a scale for their map, ensuring the dimensions represented on the map are proportional.

4. Students must then draw the world map on the poster paper, following their chosen projection and scale. In this step, students should represent the world's main geographic features, such as continents, oceans, major rivers, and mountain ranges.

5. In parallel, each group will use a geospatial technology tool to visualize the world map, drawing comparisons between the manual and digital representations.

6. At the end of the project, each group must produce a written report containing the following:

• Introduction: Contextualize the topic, explaining its relevance and real-world applications, and provide the goal of this project.
• Development: Explain the theory behind their chosen scale and projection, detail their map-making process, demonstrate the use of the geospatial technology tool, and present and discuss their findings.
• Conclusion: Recap the main points of their work, state what they learned, and offer their concluding thoughts on the project.
• Bibliography: Cite any sources used during their work for this project, such as books, webpages, videos, etc.

This report will complement the hands-on work, as in it students will have the opportunity to explain their choices (of projection and scale), discuss the difficulties encountered and how they were overcome, and provide a comparative analysis between the manual and digital representation.

Timeline:

This project should be conducted over the course of one week, with an estimated workload of 2-4 hours per student.

Deliverables:

The physical map and the typed report will be the two main deliverables for this project. The report should be submitted digitally, while the physical map should be presented in class.

Link Between Hands-On Activity and Project Deliverables:

The map-making process and the use of geospatial technology will provide students with hands-on experience with the concepts of scale, projection, and geospatial technologies. The report, in turn, will allow them to verbalize their choices, reflections, and conclusions, consolidating their learning. Together, these two elements, practice and writing, compose a comprehensive project where students have the opportunity to "learn by doing" and to critically reflect on their work.