Making a mud map

 

Creating a mud map (line, point and area map) for students to use when out of the classroom in school grounds or excursion

Equipment prepared ahead with one set per 3 students:

•         A3 satellite image of a section of Mawson Lakes Campus
•        Tape measure
•          Pencil, coloured pencils and sharpener
•          Erasure
•          Ruler. Protractor and compass
•          Watch/time
•          Tracing paper
•          Sticky tape
•          A3 white paper – same size as aerial photo
•          Window as a light table
•          Observation skills

Step 1: Getting the satellite image of the site      

Download a satellite image of the field site from Google Maps A3.

·       Print one colour copy between 3 students.  

       Step 2:  Observations at the site

•           Determine the scale of the photo by measuring a feature on the map that is a known measurement at the site.
•           Identify the main features of the photo that students will focus on, i.e. buildings and trees as areas, roads as lines and special features as points (parking machine).
•        Orientate North using the sun and a clock, or a compass – place on image.

     Step 3: Using tracing paper digitise the photo to create a vector map (point, line and area map). To do this, trace over the photo to create a map with lines, points and areas  

Step 4: Tracing outline

•   Attach tracing to light table or window & cover with white sheet of paper.
•   Transfer the tracing to the white paper.
•   Use a ruler and protractor to ensure lines are straight.

     Step 5: Complete mud map: 

•          Place North on the map.
•          Put line and Representative fraction (1: …) scale at the bottom left hand corner of the map.
•          Create a legend and place at the bottom right hand corner of the map.
•          Colour for features according to legend.
•          Label key features.
•       Place title at top right hand corner of map.

      Ensure the map has BOLTSS plus R:

•          Border

  ·         Orientation (North)

  ·         Legend

  ·         Title

  ·         Scale

  ·         Source

  ·         Plus Referencing grid

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