|
Trail Map Creation
Grade Level:
9 – 12 Academic Areas: Science Duration of
service: 1 – 2 months Character Virtues: Respect, Responsibility Technology: GIS, GPS, Remote Sensing Service Areas: Education/Tutoring, Environmental Service Learning Project: Participants in this
trail-mapping project will first learn the basics of GPS and GIS technology
and mapmaking. They will then use
these technologies to create a map of an existing trail with existing points
of interest. GPS tracking will be done
to capture a digital file of the trail that will then be superimposed on an
aerial photograph. GPS waypoints will
be collected at existing points of interest along the trail and will be
placed on the digital map. Students
will produce one final digital map for use on a community website, one large
map for the head of the system of trails, and a smaller brochure map for use
along the trail. This plan may be used for
many different community mapping projects designed to build a more accurate
recreational infrastructure, including hiking trails, snowmobile trails,
cross-country ski trails, nature trails, and snowshoe trails. Various school groups and community
organizations, including 4H Groups, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, etc., could
all participate. In addition, having precisely mapped trails and points of
interest facilitates better trail management and use.
Goals and Objectives Academic Learning Goal: Participants will learn how to generate, process,
and transfer geographic information using GPS and GIS technology. Standard: Math, Science, and
Technology 2. Information Systems -- Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies. Learning Goal: Participants will acquire technical geospatial
skills to be used in a diverse range of career paths. Standard: Career Development and Occupational Studies 3b. Career Majors -- Students who choose a career major will acquire the
career-specific technical knowledge/skills necessary to progress toward
gainful employment, career advancement, and success in postsecondary
programs. Service Community need: Lack of accurate digitally based trail maps for miles of multi-use trails. Developing accurate maps with points of interest will increase the usability of trails for purposes of tourism and recreation. Possible Community Partners: 4H, Scouts, School Groups, Private
Organizations, etc. Objective: Project participants will provide the trail system with an accurate digital map (for use on a community website), a large map (for use at the trailhead), and a smaller brochure map (for use on the trail). Objective: Project participants will demonstrate the feasibility of geospatial technologies and volunteer assistance in the creation of accurate maps. Technology Learning Goal: Participants will understand how to use
recreational-grade GPS to capture points of interest along the trail. Objective: Participants will record waypoints with GPS receiver. Learning Goal:
Participants will understand how to create a basic map in a GIS software program. Objective: Participants will create a basic map with GIS software. Character Virtue:
Respect Objective: Participants will show regard for the worth of the environment and facilitate the enjoyment of this resource. Virtue: Responsibility Objective: Participants will create
trail maps to be used by present and future generations for appreciation of
the natural world.
Key Activities Key Planning Activities
Key
Service Activities 1.
Participants will collect
locations of points of interest along the trail using GPS. 2.
Participants will digitally
collect the route of trail using GPS. 3.
Participants will create a
basic map using mapping software. 4.
All participants’ maps will be
judged and the best map will be used as the basis for the final map. A digital map, a large final map for the
trailhead, and a smaller brochure map for use on the trail will be created. Key Reflection Activities 1. Participants will keep track of progress
and their personal hours spent on the project. In addition, participants will write a
one-page reflection piece on what this experience meant to them and the
future benefits it will provide to the community (see trail mapping
reflection document). (written, responsibility) 2. Participants will evaluate one
another’s map submissions, reflecting as they do so on the opportunity this
has given them to serve their community. They will gain respect for one
another’s efforts as they vote for the best submission to be used at the
trailhead and on the brochure.
(oral/written, respect) 3. Participants will spend a couple of
hours together on the mapped trails following the completion of the
project. They will join hands and
stretch along the trail as far as they can in a chain of community
respect. (performance, respect) Celebration Activity A map unveiling ceremony will be held at the trailhead at the completion of the project, followed by a picnic for the participants. Parents and community members will be invited to the ceremony and picnic. |
