Using Remote Sensing to Determine Topography (Developed by SEPUP)
kit #444S
Students are introduced to remote sensing through a hands-on activity that allows them to collect data about concealed landforms then use it to create visualizations of the landforms.
Each student group collects data that allows them to construct a line graph showing a profile across the landform. Then the class data is combined so that students have enough data to create a false-color topographical map of the surface of the landform.
This remote sensing measuring technique is related to applications in earth science, oceanography, and space science as students compare their false color map to a topographic map.
Scientific Concepts
• Technology, such as remote sensing, is essential to science because it provides instruments that enable observations of objects and phenomena that are otherwise unobservable
• Scientists organize and summarize data using tables and maps
• Science and technology are reciprocal and are often inspired by societal challenges and priorities
• Scientists test their explanations of nature using observations and models
To complete this kit requires one to two ~50-minute class periods.
- Technology, such as remote sensing, is essential to science because it provides instruments that enable observations of objects and phenomena that are otherwise unobservable
- Scientists organize and summarize data using tables and maps
- Science and technology are reciprocal and are often inspired by societal challenges and priorities
- Scientists test their explanations of nature using observations and models
Content List in Using Remote Sensing to Determine Topography (Developed by SEPUP) is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 12 | LAB-AIDS® Measuring Probes |
| 6 | LAB-AIDS® Remote Sensing Devices with the following parts: |
| 1 Landforms Model | |
| 1 Mystery Box | |
| 1 Platform Box | |
| 6 | Colored pencil sets (red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, and brown) |
| 1 | Transparency 1: Height of Surface Measurements of Planet Surface |
| 1 | Transparency 2: False-Color Topographic Map of the Planet Surface |
| 28 | Student Worksheet and Guides |
| 1 | Teacher’s Guide |
- Recommended number of Students
- 24 maximum per class
- Number of groups
- 6 per class
- Number of classes
- unlimited (no consumable materials)
To complete this kit requires one to two ~50-minute class periods.
Kit #439S Making and Interpreting Topographic Maps (Developed by SEPUP)
Kit #437 Modeling and Investigating Watersheds
Kit #435 Reading River Sediments: Simulated Mineral Exploration
Kit #446S Engineering & Design: Modeling and Mitigating Stream Processes (Developed by SEPUP)
