NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Topographic Maps Title of IC: Author: Anna Foutz

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Teacher: Anna Foutz School: John W. North High School Course/grade: Earth Science/9 th Grade District: Riverside Unified School District

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case What should be considered when choosing a landing site for a rover on Mars? How can we use imaging technology and knowledge of topography to determine the safest place to land? generative question:

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case I&E 1. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other four strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will: h. Read and interpret topographic and geologic maps. learning objectives (key standards):

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Listening to discussions during group work Asking questions as I circulate groups Rubric evaluations of projects and presentations Topographic map exam (multiple choice with justification, written description of analyzed topographic map, sketches of topographic profiles.) assessment overview:

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case From what they know about Earth and Mars, topographic maps, and imaging technology, groups will determine a landing site on Mars for a rover using actual Mars imagery and maps. They will work first with a global map of Mars, with each team given a general landing area, and then zoom in on more detailed photos to choose a best landing site. They will put together a proposal of their plan for their mission and present it to the scientific community (the rest of the class) in order to be chosen as the project to be funded and carried out by NASA. culminating project:

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Day 1: Visualizing going from 2-D to 3-D. Discuss types of maps. Day 2: Virtual field trip to see examples of topography; activity to discuss topography and contour lines: students stand on the counters, chairs, floors, or sit in their seat, use string to connect places at the same elevation. Elevation numbers placed on lines. Students get into groups and draw a birds-eye view of the lines onto transparency. Share with class. Day 3: Going 2-D to 3-D. Students use a 2D topographic map, and make an accurate 3D model of it by using plastic “to-go” containers. Day 4: Going 3-D to 2-D. Topographic map activity using skewers to measure depths to an object and make a 2-D map of it. Day 5:Given images of RADAR, LiDAR, maps with GPS vectors, etc., determine topographic features and geologically hazardous areas on Earth. Day 6-7: From what they know about Earth and Mars, topographic maps, and imaging technology, groups will determine a landing site on Mars for a rover using actual Mars imagery and maps. Day 8-9: Student landing site proposal presentations. Day 10: Test day. Topographic Maps Exam. key lessons & activities:

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Engage: Show them examples of “to go” containers with silly 3D images created with them. Explore: student groups use a 2D topographic map, and make an accurate 3D model of it. They have to take what they know of my silly images, and figure it out for themselves. Explain: Groups share out what they did to make the 3D model. Models and maps displayed and viewed by other groups. Show additional topographic maps. Extend: Discuss walking from one side of the map to the other. What would their path across the surface look like? Discuss and draw profiles. Homework: Worksheet on describing the features in topographic maps and drawing profiles. Evaluate: Discussions as I walk around during activity, class discussions during presentations, discussion during analysis of topographic maps on screen in order to make a profile, grading of worksheet. 5E inquiry activities: an example

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case TPR Use of Realia Tapping Prior Knowledge Hands-on, minds-on activities Note taking (my version of Cornell notes: adding colored pictures to notes, and summarizing daily). Thinking maps Engagement strategies (examples I plan to use in these lessons: equity sticks, hot onion, humor, story telling) Experience before labeling Use of roots, prefixes, suffixes for vocabulary development Ample pictures while taking notes for visual learners integrated pedagogy:

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Anaglyphs Maps/Posters: Topography of the north and south poles of Mars Topography of Mars from 70 degrees north and south Latitude Mars Revealed: Topography and surface features of Mars NASA resources:

NASA LIFTOFF Instructional Case Critical thinking Problem solving Group collaboration Group presentation 21 st century skill integration: