Skip to Main Content

Share Suggestion

GIS: Helping to Save the African Wild

Web-based Content

GIS: Helping to Save the African Wild

Grade Levels

6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade

Course, Subject

Geography, Science
Related Academic Standards
4.5.3.A 4.5.3.A

Identify resources humans take from the environment for their survival.
4.5.4.C 4.5.4.C

Describe how human activities affect the environment.
4.5.7.C 4.5.7.C

Explain how human actions affect the health of the environment.

  • Identify residential and industrial sources of pollution and their effects on environmental health.
7.1.4.A 7.1.4.A

Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret information about people, places, and environment.
7.1.12.A 7.1.12.A

Use geographic tools to analyze information about the interaction between people, places, and the environment.
Expand
  • Big Ideas
    A technological world requires that humans develop capabilities to solve technological challenges and improve products for the way we live.
    Each area of technology has a set of characteristics that separates it from others; however, many areas overlap in order to meet human needs and wants.
    Technological design is a creative process that anyone can do which may result in new inventions and innovations.
    Technological literacy is the ability to use, assess and manage technology around us.
    Technology is created, used and modified by humans.
    Geographic representations are essential to explain the spatial organization of people, places, and environments.
    Geography is used to explain the past, interpret the present, and plan for the future.
    Physical processes shape patterns of the Earth’s surface, including the characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems.
    Places and regions have physical and human characteristics, and one’s culture and experiences may influence perception of place.
  • Concepts
    A technological design & problem solving process changes ideas into a final product or system.
    Bio-related technologies are the processes of using biological mater to make or modify products.
    Bio-related technologies are the processes of using biological organisms to make or modify products.
    Communication is the process of composing, sending, and receiving messages through technology.
    Communication is the process of composing, sending, and receiving messages using technological devices.
    Construction is the process of turning materials into useful structures.
    Construction is the process of turning raw materials into useful structures.
    Decisions about the use of products and systems can result in expected and unexpected consequences.
    Energy and power technologies are the processes of converting energy sources into useful power.
    Energy and power technologies use processes to convert energy into power.
    In a technological world, inventions and innovations must be carefully assessed by individuals and society as a whole.
    Innovation is the process of improving an existing product, process, or system.
    Innovation is the process of modifying an existing product, process, or system to improve it.
    Invention is a process of creating new products, processes, or systems.
    Invention is a process of turning ideas and imagination into new products, processes, or systems.
    Inventions and innovations must be carefully assessed by individuals and society.
    Manufacturing is the process of turning materials into useful products.
    Manufacturing is the process of turning raw materials into useful products.
    People select, create, and use technology.
    Safety is a preeminent concern for all technological development and use.
    Safety is one of the most important concerns for all technological development and use.
    Science and technology are interconnected.
    Technological design & problem solving follows many steps.
    Technological design & problem solving includes clearly communicated solutions.
    Technological design & problem solving includes frequent checking.
    Technological design & problem solving requires hands-on applications.
    Technological literacy is necessary for a productive workforce.
    Technological literacy is necessary for all citizens.
    Technological literacy is the ability to understand, use, assess, design, and create technology.
    Technological literacy requires lifelong learning.
    Technology and society impact each other.
    The abilities required in a technological world include diagnosing, troubleshooting, analyzing and maintaining systems.
    The abilities required in a technological world include understanding, fixing, and maintaining systems.
    The goal of technology is to meet human needs and wants.
    Transportation is the process of safely and efficiently moving people and products.
    Understanding technological systems help us plan and control technological developments.
    While science is the study of the natural world, technology is the study of the human designed world.
    Cultural changes influence people's perceptions of places and regions.
    Geographic tools from maps to geographic information systems are used to analyze spatial perspective of society.
    Mental maps promote an understanding of the world and a context for events.
    Patterns of physical features and spatial patterns of human features change over time.
    Physical characteristics of places and regions are impacted through the interrelationships among the components of Earth’s physical systems: atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
    Spatial patterns of political units, including role of political alliances and the impact of political conflicts, fashion the division and control of the Earth’s surface.
  • Competencies
    Describe and demonstrate how to use technological design & problem solving.
    Design and develop the ability to create and send messages using technological devices.
    Design and develop the ability to safely and effectively use tools and materials to build structures.
    Design and develop the ability to safely and effectively use tools and materials to convert energy into power.
    Design and develop the ability to safely and effectively use tools and materials to create bio-related products and systems using technology.
    Design and develop the ability to safely and effectively use tools and materials to create vehicles that transport people and products.
    Design and develop the ability to safely and effectively use tools and materials to manufacture products.
    Explain the importance of carefully assessing technological inventions and innovations.
    List possible consequences of technology.
    Recognize the importance of using technological knowledge in society.
    Analyze how people perceive and use place over time.
    Construct a cognitive map from mental images and perceptions of an area.
    Describe how social, cultural, and economic processes shape the features of places.
    Evaluate the application of geographic tools and supporting technologies to suggest a solution to a world problem.
    Evaluate why multiple criteria can be used to define a region and how a location can be in different regions.
    Explain why places have specific physical and human characteristics in different parts of the world.

Description

There are approximately 6 billion people on our planet, and that number is growing! Population growth not only affects humans, it threatens plants and animals that rely on the same resources as humans (food, land, and water). In this lesson, students will learn about a geographic tool known as GIS, and about how it is assisting the conservation efforts of ecologically minded individuals such as Dr. Michael Fay and the environmentalists at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Students will use resources such as the National Geographic magazine feature Africa MegaFlyover to find out more about how GIS is used.

Web-based Resource

Access this resource at:

GIS: Helping to Save the African Wild

Content Provider

National Geographic Education

 

As a part of the National Geographic Education and Children’s Media division, National Geographic Education focuses on working closely with and creating materials for educators and schools that bring the Society's spirit of exploration and adventure to our goal of educating young people about their world. 

To be effective in the modern world, young people will need to be able to thrive in diverse workplaces and respond to fast-changing circumstances. To act responsibly, they will need to understand how our interconnected world works so they can make informed decisions. These are the same qualities exemplified by National Geographic explorers for more than 125 years. For that reason, our work is aligned to a learning framework that defines the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of an explorer. 

Educators and learners can find and explore all materials created by National Geographic Education here, at NatGeoEd.org. With over one million visitors each month, the award-winning NG Education website is recognized as one of the most innovative sources for educational and reference content.

Loading
Please wait...

Insert Template

Information