# UTPA STEM/CBI Courses/Environmental Impact Assessment/Map, Compass, and GPS Skills

Course Title: Environmental Impact Assessment
Lecture Topic: Map, Compass, and GPS Skills
Instructor: Frank J Dirrigl, Jr.
Institution: The University of Texas Pan-American

## Backwards Design

Course Objectives
* Primary Objectives- By the next class period students will be able to:
** Understand how to read a topographical map including symbols, elevation, and directions
** Use a compass to orientate a map, take a bearing, and follow directions
** Use a Global Positioning System (GPS) to take a waypoint, find latitude and longitude, and UTM coordinates
* Sub Objectives- The objectives will require that students be able to:
** What slope is and how to calculate rise (elevation) over run (distance)
** Use a grid or coordinate system
** Read degrees and (ticks) on a compass
** Follow a set of detailed directions for the GPS unit
* Difficulties- Students may have difficulty:
** Orienting their sense of direction and converting it to degrees
** Reading contour lines on a topographical map
** Comprehending UTM grids and finding points on a topographical map
* Real-World Contexts- There are many ways that students can use this material in the real-world, such as:
** Skills that will allow a beginning environmental scientist communicate the location of a site or specimen
Model of Knowledge
* Concept Map
** Analytical Skills
*** Reading a Map and Compass and GPS unit
*** Calculating area of a land plot
*** Taking compass reading with declination
** Teamwork Building Skills
*** Working as part of a group to construct a compass course
*** Working with the group to complete another team’s compass course
* Content Priorities
** Enduring Understanding
*** Locate a project area in the field and map and be able to convey this information to others so that they may find it
*** Locate particular landscape / biological features from maps or descriptions
*** Orient themselves on a map
* Important to Do and Know
** Compass directions
** Map symbols and elevations
** UTM coordinate grids
** GPS menu operation and limitations
* Worth Being Familiar with
** Orienteering skills (i.e., it is not necessary to do any of the skill set fast, but could come in handy in search and rescue situations
Assessment of Learning
* Formative Assessment
** In Class (groups)
*** Assess prior knowledge of compass and map us with pre-quiz (no grade)
*** Assess teams ability to work together to find points on a compass course in the shortest period of time (no grade- but reward with the golden compass award plaque with team names)
* Homework (individual)
** Complete the Lost Lake compass exercise
** Complete the Topographical Map UTM exercise to locate UTPA buildings
* Summative Assessment
** Student is assessed by the number of tasks completed successfully
** Student is assessed by their participation in the challenge

## Legacy Cycle

OBJECTIVE
By the next class period, students will be able to:
* Orientate a compass and compensate for declination through adjustment or addition/subtraction of degrees
* Orientate a map to allow compass bearing readings from the map to compass and compass to map
** Practice this skill inside with Lost Lake exercise
** Practice this skill outdoors on UTPA campus
* Use a GPS unit to map a waypoint and determine latitude and longitude and UTM coordinates in the field and on a map using a UTM grid
* Read a topographical map for elevation, common symbols, and calculate slope of a hill
* Use a pocket stereoscope to determine landform and vegetation
* Use grids to calculate the acres of a land plot
* Determine the elevation of a pond or hill using a map or GPS unit
The objectives will require that students be able to:
* Locate a project area in the field and map and be able to convey this information to others so that they may find it
* Locate particular landscape / biological features from maps or descriptions
* Orient themselves on a map
THE CHALLENGE
You have found rare plants and animals on the UTPA campus. Using a map, compass, and GPS, plot the points so that other environmental scientists can follow your trail and find them too.
GENERATE IDEAS
* How can you send someone to a location on a topographical and/or aerial map where you have found a rare species of plant or animal?
* Students will be handed a compass and asked to find where north is and walk in this direction
* Students will be asked to orientate a map so that it faces the direction they are facing
* Students will be asked to take a bearing on a tree or object
* What is orienteering? What is geocaching?
MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES
Learn how to use a map, compass, and GPS unit through instruction, video, and provided web links (See Blackboard supporting page).
RESEARCH & REVISE
You will set up a compass and GPS course (i.e., orienteering and geocaching). Group A will construct the compass course and then travel the GPS course. Group B will construct the GPS course and then travel the compass course.
TEST YOUR METTLE
Construct a concept map about: What is important to know when working with a map, compass, and GPS?
GO PUBLIC
Try your hand at geocaching with friends by finding two caches located on campus.