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Norbert and Zot are on a mission from Norbania to create a Geographical Information System (GIS) for forests on planet Earth. The first forests they studied were in Guatemala. Using satellite data over many years and GIS tools, they created a visual display of forest information. For the final report, their mission director wants graphs with numbers as a second way of visualizing these data. Your challenge is to obtain the information from the map and create the graphs. There are five challenges in the activity and your students will take, plot, and analyze data; work with the concept of area; and use fractions and percent to present their data. Your students can also learn the value of sampling when taking data on large populations. To organize and summarize what they have learned, groups of students should give a final presentation to the Norbanian mission director about deforestation in Guatemala on planet Earth.
This activity employs many research-based strategies. Check them out for valuable tips and downloads. You may want to try the activity yourself first so you will be better prepared to help your students. Involve other students and have them work cooperatively (follow the link for advice).
Be sure Squeak is installed successfully on your computer. It will take about 5 seconds for the project to load for a fast connection (up to 2 minutes for a slow modem connection). Wait until you see an orange flap at the lower left labeled Navigation. Click the flap to open and close it and access some neat tools. If you click Escape Browser, you will have more space. Click Browser Reentry to get back your Browser controls. Be sure your monitor resolution is set to 1024x768 - the activity won't work properly if it isn't.
Forest GIS: Norbert and Zot's GIS map of deforestation near settlements in Guatemala await your students. If your students want to play first, they can try experimenting without reading the directions. However, your students will probably need more direction and background and they should go through the book. You may wish to review GIS, area, measurement, plotting and data analysis. Because it may take 10 or more minutes to gather the data, you should plan something for your students to do during that period. You could discuss deforestation and how it might happen. See the references below for a web site discussing deforestation in Guatemala to give you some ideas. However you start, try to have your students complete some of the challenges above. Click the FOREST GIS button at the left to start.
Plotting Tool: After your students plot their data they will be able to see how the deforestation varies with year. Scientists often plot data to help them study and understand nature. If your students are already in the activity, they should click Browser Reentry and then click the browser back button to return to this page to review plotting data. They should click the PLOTTING button at the left to access the review.
Challenge: The Squeak challenge requires a knowledge of how Squeak works. Before trying it, your students should first watch the recording of how to use Squeak to make the objects on the page perform for them. Playing is a great way to learn. They must click Escape Browser and their resolution must be set at 1024x768 to view the recording properly. They should click the PLAYING button at the left to start the recording. Then they should return to FOREST GIS. It would also be very helpful to download and print the Etoy Quick Start Guide to hand out to your students. For a challenge, have your students modify the script so that data are taken for all 7 colors at once. Have them do tests to see how much faster this is than taking data on the seven colors one at a time. Have your students submit their Squeak projects for the challenge and/or their presentations for the mission director to the NASA CONNECT web site. We will post the best projects and presentations.
After your students are familiar with the Squeak Forest GIS project, have them try these additional challenges as extensions. They should explore, create, and have fun learning.
Activity Objectives:
- Students will study and gather data on a seven color map that shows deforestation during past years around settlements in Guatemala.
- Students will take measurements on a seven color map to determine the area for each color.
- Students will use their data to explain and predict.
- Students will use fractions and percent to compare the areas for the different colors.
- Students will determine the percent deforestation per year.
- Students will plot their data using a bar graph and scatterplot for a final presentation.
- Students will work together cooperatively and analyze and present their results.
Teacher Information
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