Overview of NASA/STEP Curriculum Module-Summer 2000

I. Title of Module:

• Navigation with Map and Compass; Design and Building of Bridges and Cars

II. Author:

• Thomas Bryne

III. Grade Level:

• High School 9-12

IV. Students:

• Urban Minority

NASA/STEP Module - Lesson 1/ Day 1

Objectives:

• To learn how to read a topographic map and use a compass.

Skills to be developed: Students will be able to:

• Identify latitude and longitude coordinates of a point on a map.
• Determine elevations on a contour map.
• Use a compass to calculate a bearing on a map and translate that bearing to a direction on the ground.
• Orient a map using a compass.

Concepts:

• Map grid systems (latitude and longitude)
• Map scales
• Compass directions
• Map projections

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Students will work individually and in groups of three and will be given specific exercises to perform with topographic maps and compasses.
• Maps to be used include detailed orienteering map of Van Cortlandt Park and USGS quadrangle map of an area in Colorado.
• Compass is an orienteering compass

Materials and Resources:

• USGS quadrangle maps of Colorado, orienteering maps of Van Cortlandt Park, worksheet, compasses, rulers and calculators.  

NASA Module - Lesson 2/ Day 2

Objectives:

• To learn how to calculate distances on a map and to interpret different map scales.

Skills to be developed: Students will be able to:

• Calculate distance on a map.
• Measure distances on the ground by measuring the average length of their normal stride and calculating the number of steps necessary to cover a given distance.
• Accurately follow a set of compass directions and distances in the field.

Concepts:

Map scales

• Accuracy of measurements (compass directions and distances) Teaching and Learning Approaches:
• Students will work individually in the classroom and in groups of two in the field.
• Students will measure the length of their average stride. Students will go out to open field on campus where they will be given a set of directions to follow from a given starting point.
• Students will use the attached forms and can determine how close they came to predetermined finish location.

Materials and Resources:

• Worksheet, meter sticks, compasses, set of directions for students to follow from predetermined locations.

NASA Module - Lesson 3/ Day 3

Objectives: To understand the concept of magnetic declination and learn a variety of orienteering techniques that can be practiced during field trip to Van Cortlandt Park the next day. Skills to be developed: Students will be able to:

• Explain the concept of magnetic declination and make the necessary adjustments to compass bearings to account for declination.
• Orient a map in the field.
• Use the thumbing technique for following a course on a map.
• Employ the “aiming off” technique to find a specific location.
• Determine the quickest route between two points on a map considering contour of the land, vegetation, and ease of travel in general.

Concepts:

• Interpreting symbols on a map.
• Magnetic declination.

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Students will practice making adjustments for magnetic declination using USGS quadrangle maps.
• Students will learn a variety of techniques for determining desired routes between two points on an orienteering map.

Materials and Resources:

• USGS quadrangle maps of Colorado, orienteering maps of Van Cortlandt Park, Internet access, compasses.

NASA Module - Lesson 4/ Day 4

Objectives:

• To learn how to read an orienteering map

Skills to be developed: Students will be able to:

• Read contour lines on a contour map.
• Identify and locate natural and man-made features based on interpretation of map symbols.
• Measure distances on a map and transform those distances to a number of paces on the ground.
• Calculate a bearing between two points on a map and find that direction on the ground.
• Locate controls in wooded area of park using orienteering map and compass.

Concepts:

• Map scales, contour lines, map symbols, compass bearings

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Teacher will place 20 to 25 coded controls in wooded area of Van Cortlandt Park. Controls are assigned point values based upon distance from starting point and difficulty of location. Students will work in groups of three. They will be given compasses, orienteering maps of the Park and a detailed clue sheet showing the location of the controls. Groups will plan a route through the specified area of the park, trying to accumulate the maximum number of points by locating as many controls as possible in the allotted time. Students will be required to complete and turn in a preliminary plan of their expected route prior to leaving starting point. Students will record the codes at each control they locate during the exercise. (See attached forms used in the exercise.)

Materials and Resources:

• Orienteering maps of Van Cortlandt Park with controls located on them; Compasses; control clue sheet, control code sheet; water supply.
• The following forms

Control clue sheet:

CLUES

Expected route through course/list of controls located:

GROUP MEMBERS

1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
5. _____________________________________
6. _____________________________________

Expected Order Of Controls:

Control card:
Control Designation ________________
Code Number for this control: ________________________

NASA Module - Lesson 5/ Day 5-6

Objectives:

• To learn the basic types of bridges, in general, and the different types of trusses, in particular.
• To design and build bridges out of basswood and compete for most efficient design.

Concepts:

• Beam and suspension bridges
• Truss designs

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Students will work in groups of two to design and construct a bridge in accordance with certain specifications.
• Bridges will be tested with weights to determine the most efficient load to bridge weight.

Materials and Resources:

• Bridge building kit; readings on bridge types and history of bridges; glue guns; cutting instruments; triple beam balance; weights for testing bridge loads.

NASA Module - Lesson 6/ Day 7-8

Objectives:

• To learn about the relationship between potential and kinetic energy.
• To design and build cars using mouse traps as the source of propulsion

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Students will work in pairs. They will design and build cars using a mousetrap as the engine.   Teams will compete to see which car goes farthest.

Materials and Resources:

• Car building kit; glue guns; cutting instruments.

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Last Updated July 2, 2001 by Roz Krakowsky
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