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Implementing Geographic Information Systems into AP Environmental Science

Kelly Cal

City Honors School at Fosdick-Masten Park

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Using Collector for ArcGIS

Conclusions

ArcGIS Story Map Tour

Lesson

UB Summer Camp

References

GIS in AP Environmental Science

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth’s surface. Many different types of information can be compared and contrasted using GIS. The system can include data about people, such as population, income, or education level. It can include information about the landscape, such as the location of streams, different kinds of vegetation, and different kinds of soil. It can include information about the sites of factories, farms, and schools; or storm drains, roads, and electric power lines.

Data Formats:

Cartographic data are already in map form, and can include location of rivers, roads, hills and valleys

Photographic interpretation analyzes aerial photos and assessing the features

Digital data can also be entered into GIS. An example of this kind of information is computer data collected by satellites that show land use—the location of farms, towns, and forests.

Remote sensing includes imagery and other data collected from satellites, balloons, and drones.

Spreadsheet form such as population demographics. Demographics can range from age, income, ethnicity and spread of disease.

Objectives

To provide a hands on experience with GIS
To use GIS programs in the classroom to better understand and present information from a wide variety of fields
To learn how to access and use the following programs:

Google Earth is known as a virtual globe,map and geographic information system. It integrates information in various forms, such as satellite images, photos, and 3D buildings in a geographic context.

ArcGIS is used for working with maps and geographic information. It is used for creating and using maps, compiling geographic data, analyzing mapped information, sharing and discovering geographic information, using maps and geographic information in a range of applications, and managing geographic information in a database.

Collector for ArcGIS is a great tool to get started on field data collection with a mobile phone or tablet computer. Collector provides a mechanism for field data gathering and populating GIS attributes tables.

Sketchup is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural and interior design, landscaping, civil and mechanical engineering.

GIS organizes, stores and analyzes complex data over broad geographic areas. It makes the data more accessible to students and allows for the simultaneous overlay of many layers data. They can observe environmental systems from a distant and make meaning conclusion and predictions about the data. Students can observe trends in data from the size of forest in the 1950s to the present or population growth and spread of disease. GIS is a tool can be used to help plan for the future.

GIS can be used for:

Observing environmental systems
Increase the accessibility to data about geography, pollution and demographics
Make meaningful conclusions about data
Purpose further questions for evaluation
Use technology to collect and observes trends in data

AP Environmental Science Course Theme and Skills

Science is a process: Science is a method of learning more about the world and is constantly changing.

Qualitative data : Are observed rather than measured

Include written descriptions, videos, photographs, or live observations
Examples include observations of appearance, behaviors, smell, taste, etc.

Quantitative data : Are measured and recorded in numerical form

Examples include absorbance, size, time, height, and mass

Data Analysis: involves calculations and significant figure

The Story Map Tour℠ app template is ideal for presenting a place-based narrative featuring images or videos. Each 'story point' in the tour narrative is geo-located and gives information about the point. Students can go on a tour to places that are not easily accessible during the school year. This Map Tour takes students to the Top 10 Wind Farms in the United States. The information for each point includes commission date, how may units and energy output. Students can then draw conclusions about how efficient wind power is and predict where in the US new wind power plants can be built.

Topic: Soil Samples

Content Areas: AP Environmental Science

Grade Level: 12

Duration: 3 laboratory periods 45 minutes each

GIS Tool: Collector/ArcGIS

Objectives: TSTWBAT:

Collect samples from various locations around the buffalo area.
Label a map with the location of where the sample was from.
Analyze the sample of soil for type, grain size, pH, and nutrients.

Instructional Sequence:

Students will collect soil samples from various areas across Buffalo and surrounding suburb parks:

Delaware Park Chestnut Ridge Park

MLK Park Tift Farm

Masten Park Cazenovia Park

Reinstein Woods Stiglmeier Park

Using Collector/ArcGIS they will place a marker to indicate where the soil sample was taken from by using the sample number they are assigned and the following tag: “Number assigned”. List 3 attributes about the location you took the sample from. Submit.
Soil samples will be brought to school and analyzed for type, grain size, pH and nutrients.

Assessment: A formal laboratory write will be completed.

Other Resources: (Such as PowerPoint, Video, Supplemental Readings, etc.)

PowerPoint, identification keys of soil invertebrates, lab handout, reading from Geology of NYS sections 3.2.12, 3.3 and 3.4

Funded by the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership, #1098259.

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