Which Map's the Best Map?
As a miniature model of the Earth, a globe is the most accurate representation of our planet. Yet it's not what most scientists use to do their work. What do they use instead, and why?
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More About This Resource...
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This classroom activity helps students understand the benefits and drawback of globes, Mercator maps, and polar map projections. After closely examining all three, students discuss how we represent a spherical object like the Earth on flat surface. The printable five-page handout includes:
- A series of inquiry-based questions to get students thinking about the many different representations of Earth that are used.
- Detailed activity directions.
- A worksheet that helps students use the activity findings to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working with different types of maps.
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Completion Time
Approximately 1 period
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Topic
Earth Science -
Subtopic
Tools and Methods -
Subtopic
National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:
• structure of the earth system• earth in the solar system
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• nature of science
Grades 9-12:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:
• origin and evolution of the earth system
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• nature of scientific knowledge
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Learning Standard
National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:
• structure of the earth system• earth in the solar system
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• nature of science
Grades 9-12:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D:
• origin and evolution of the earth system
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• nature of scientific knowledge
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