High School

Introduction to Google Earth

Introduction to Google Earth

Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) funded company acquired by Google in 2004 (see In-Q-Tel). It maps the Earth by thesuperimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3Dglobe.

Google Earth is installed in two labs in Marshfield High School, Room 66 and Room 4.  Clicking on the Icon  on the desktop will start the program.  If you are at home and want Google Earth you can download it for free!  Just click on the icon above and follow the directions.

INTRODUCTION TO GOOGLE EARTH ACTIVITY

1.  If you have not done so, skim the Google Earth Tutorial.

2.  Locate the Search pane on your left hand side and pick the tab "Fly to".

3.  Enter the town of your birth, the zip code and the country (if outside of the US).

4.  You will now "fly" to your birthplace.

 

5.  Look up useful information that can be found at the bottom of the screen, then enter the following data about yourself:  (NOTE:  You must complete the entire form before submitting.  It is not possible to save work from one session to another.)

Introduction to Earth Science:

1.
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Name:
2.
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Hour:
3.
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Birthplace (City or town/State, Province or Territory/Country)
4.
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Latitude:
5.
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Longitude:
6.
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Elevation of your birthplace (how high above the sea level were you born):
7.
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Describe the landscape/setting  of your birthplace (rural/urban/suburban):

 

Look up your current residence. Enter your address (house number and your zip code) in the "Fly to" section. Using the slider and the round controls on the right hand upper corner of your screen, take a look at your house-by clicking on, and holding the eye symbol, you can tilt the view. 
8.
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Enter the coordinates for your residence here:

Latitude:
9.
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Enter the coordinates for your residence here:

Longitude:
10.
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What is the elevation of your residence?
11.
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When was the map of your house captured?

 

Now, look up two significant others (Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Friend, etc.)birthplaces and "fly to" them. Record the data.
12.
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Person 1 Birthplace:
13.
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Person 1 Latitude:
14.
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Person 1 Longitude:
15.
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Person 1 Elevation:
16.
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Person 1 Describe the landscape/setting  of Person 1's birthplace (rural/urban/suburban):
17.
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Person 2 Birthplace:
18.
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Person 2 Latitude:
19.
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Person 2 Longitude:
20.
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Person 2 Elevation:
21.
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Person 2 Describe the landscape/setting  of Person 1's birthplace (rural/urban/suburban):

 

Embrace your own heritage now. "Fly to" the country (choose only 1, your choice), from which your ancestors came to America. 
22.
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What is the current capital of this country? (look for the star symbol)
23.
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Capital City Latitude:
24.
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Capital City Longitude:
25.
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Now, zoom out of the country to 10,000m (approx. 33,000ft) altitude and fly around it. What interesting landscape features can you see? Describe the landscape:

Go back to the capital of the country. 

  • Locate the ruler symbol on the top of your Google Earth map. 
  • Left-click on it.
  • Uncheck the box "Mouse Navigation".
  • Click on the capital, then travel to back to your own birthplace. A line will appear on the globe.
26.
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What is the distance between the capital of your ancestors and your birthplace in miles:

HINT:  Click here for more information on how to measure distance between two points that are far apart.
27.
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What is the distance between the capital of your ancestors and your birthplace in kilometers:

 

Now, fly to the place you've always wanted to visit.  Take a virtual tour of this region- explore it!
28.
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Name of place:
29.
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Dream location latitude:
30.
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Dream location longitude:

 
31.
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How far is this Dream Location from Marshfield in miles?

 

Using the "Layers" pane, turn off and on different features available on it (a checkmark in the box means that a feature is on).

That's it for this activity.  Make sure all the text areas are filled in and click on submit.

  

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