Quick Take on . . . Maps for Science
As students investigate such national and global issues as climate change, water shortages, deforestation,
endangered species, or shifting tectonic plates, online thematic maps can connect the issues to locations.
Often these maps provide supporting data. Here are some sources of thematic maps that can be useful in the science
classroom.
The Map Guide
http://www.stjernberg.com/maps/mapguide.htm
Here is a collection of dozens of links to online maps of all types — physical, political, historical,
and weather — from all parts of the globe.
Earth Pulse
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/index.html
In its coverage of conservation themes, National Geographic.com offers related maps showing impacts on oceans, climate,
mineral resources, and terrestrial ecoregions.
Geologic Maps
http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/usgsnps/gmap/index.html
To enable all of us to read geologic maps, the U.S. Geologic Survey published this easy-to-understand online guide.
Astronomy for Kids
http://www.dustbunny.com/afk/index.html
The sky as seen from Indianapolis, Indiana, is mapped weekly at this site. Find a tool in the resources section to
create your own map by your latitude and longitude or a nearby city name.
AAAS Atlas of Population and Environment
http://atlas.aaas.org
Along with extensive text on the impact of human populations on ecosystems and natural resources,
the online atlas contains maps illustrating land use, population density, biodiversity, and more. With free
registration you can create a personal copy of the atlas.
How Do Seasonal Temperature Patterns Vary Among Different Regions of the World?
http://www.globe.gov/tctg/earth_la_seaphen_s3.pdf?sectionId=258
Hands-on experience with recording temperature data on contour and dot maps is available to classrooms using
the
GLOBE Program.
Quick Take on . . . Earth Science Week, October 14-20, 2007
http://msteacher.org/epubs/science/QuickTakes/earth_sci_week.aspx
From the NSDL Middle School Portal, this page provides resources for observing the week and increasing student awareness
of the earth sciences. Links to many sources that include maps.
Brought to you by the staff at the NSDL Middle School
Portal - http://msteacher.org.
Copyright September 2007 - The Ohio State University. This
material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under
Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations
expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Copyright September 2007 - The Ohio State University -
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science
Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed
in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science
Foundation.