TITLE:    ELECTRONIC MAPPING

AUTHOR:   Gary E. Meredith, Arvada-Clearmont High School, Clearmont
          Wyoming

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:     7-12

OVERVIEW:  An interdisciplinary activity which not only helps students
locate places on a map but introduces students to the concepts of scale,
electricity and group interaction.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this project, designed to implement during the
early part of the school year, is to enhance the process of helping students
locate specific countries, oceans, capitals, etc.

OBJECTIVES:  Students will be able to:

1.  identify countries, oceans, capitals, etc.

2.  draw maps to scale using a grid system.

3.  solder wires to solid brass fasteners.

4.  operate a computer to print out specific names (print shop)

5.  Understand how and what makes the bell ring.

6.  work in a group setting.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  Posterboard, wire, soldering gun and solder, 6
volt batteries, solid brass fasteners, doorbell.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:

1. Divide class into groups (3 to 4 in a group)

2.  Draw a map to scale by using a grid system on a 2x3 or 3x4 piece of
poster board.  Leave room on one edge to place appropriate names. Color
the map.

3.  Use computer and print appropriate names. Tape the names to the maps
edge.

4.  Laminate the entire map. After lamination poke solid brass fasteners
through map next to the place names on the edge of the map and on the
countries, oceans, capital or what ever you have identified with the
names.

5.  Bend over solid brass fasteners on the back of the map and connect
pieces of wire to them by using solder and a soldering gun.  Wire should be
connected between the place name on the edge of the map and to its
appropriate country, ocean, capital or whatever.

6.  Buy an electric doorbell or phonebell and connect this to a small 6 volt
battery.  Allow 2 wires (18 inches) to extend out from the bell. By
touching one end of the wire to one solid brass fastener and the other end
of the wire to the appropriate name on the edge of the map the bell should
ring indicating a right answer.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: Electronic mapping applies many skills used in a
variety of disciplines to achieve success in identifying countries, oceans,
capital, etc. Electronic mapping uses synthesis, a higher level thinking
skill by creating, planning and combining elements into a clear usable
pattern.