Using only Map Machine , have each student write a report on what they imagine life is like in that particular place. Once the reports are complete, have children swap their work with partners. Ask students to compare the information they learned from Map Machine, with what they found in other resources. Discuss precipitation with your students. Have them explore the dangers and benefits of hurricanes and floods using Eye in the Sky features.
Students can find the information on the Internet or through a pen-pal program.
After the data collection is complete, have students create their own map and key that displays the regions and their rates of precipitation. Give students a brief introduction to earthquakes using Eye in the Sky . Next, using the map of recent earthquakes on Map Machine , have the children try to create a world map that includes the plate boundaries. Have students create their own utopia and list what characteristics that place would possess. With that information, have the students search Map Machine to try to find a place that has all the features they are looking for.