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Patterns [[image]] EarthKAM and Shuttle photographs, because of their scale, are particularly good for seeing large-scale patterns (or shapes) on Earth's surface. Students can see physical patterns such as drainage networks and sea eddies (Northeast Coast of Australia) or human impact patterns such as radial transportation lines (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Often there are links between the physical and human patterns, as in agricultural fields along the river in Rió Salado. Encourage students to find patterns, to sketch them, and to ask the key question: why did each pattern occur? Cataclysmic Events Photographs capture moments in time, so they are an excellent way to study cataclysmic events such as erupting volcanoes (Eruption of Klyuchevskaya Volcano in Kamchatka) and forest fires (Forest Fires in Sumatra). These two events are particularly interesting because they had both local and global repercussions. Students can study these lithographs, research the events, and speculate on their impacts on physical and human environments. [[image]] Human Impact Both positive and negative impacts of people on the environment can be seen in the lithographs. Gazankulu Homeland, South Africa and Ganges River Delta show side-by-side areas of settlement and conservation. Students can explore the reasons for and the effects of these manipulations of our planet. Students can also see the agriculture is radically altering Earth's surface. Rió Salado, Argentina and Creative Agriculture in Response to Limited Water focus on agriculture, but Buenos Aires, Argentina and Northeast Coast of Australia also show large regions of farmland. Students can consider the importance and impact of agriculture, especially when considered in relationship with natural vegetation, water sources, and cities. Cultures The lithographs can be used as an entry to the study of a regional culture. For example, Gazankulu Homeland, South Africa shows both rural ghettoes and a national park. This provides a visible outcome of the social and political changes occurring in South Africa. Buenos Aires, Argentina shows a city with docks, streets, an airport, parks and a racetrack. By studying the photograph, students can chose topics of interest to research, such as horse racing or importing and exporting by water, and learn about the culture of Buenos Aires. Mathematics Using the lithographs, atlases, and rulers, students can learn about measurement, proportionality, graphing, and more. For example, the relationship between length and width is constant for the EarthKAM photographs; students can determine this relationship by plotting length vs. width and finding the slope. Other possible calculations include conversions between the scale of a photograph and the scale of an atlas-measuring and calculation the size of features in the photographs. 4 - Educator's Guide Exploring Earth From Space
