About "Make a Mountain out of a Map" The main activity for this module is to look at a contour map and build a model of Mt. Everest from it. This collection of activities should have appeal for those who love the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and orienteering. There is also the appeal of the stories of those who have taken on the challenge of climbing Mt. Everest. Why have a contour map module at a math night? Reading a contour map is a practical skill which may be familiar to families who enjoy the outdoors. It's a good exercise in spatial visualization, one of the emphases in mathematics in the upper elementary grades. Children translate a two dimensional representation of a mountain into three dimensions. Finally, the idea of a contour resurfaces in calculus, and having experience with the idea in an everyday setting can help with making sense of it in a more abstract setting. The activities 1. The main activity is to stack the styrofoam pieces of contour map to build up Mt. Everest. There is a printed map on the module display, and one available for closer inspection on the table. The map has been carefully modified from a National Geographic Map so that the horizontal and vertical scales are the same: 1/2" = 400 m. The mountain should come out more or less to scale. The volunteer working at this module can encourage children to look at the printed map and predict where the mountain is steepest, predict where the grade is gentlest, and guess which part of the mountain is shown on the picture. Then they can test their predictions by building the mountain out of the styrofoam pieces. 2. A second activity is to have children look at a topographic map of some local attraction, such as a state park or wildlife preserve. The children could be asked to plan a hike on some of the trails, and talk about features they expect to see, such as streams, hills, or peaks. 3. A third activity is to have children use modelling clay to make their own mountain, and then to draw a contour map of it. They can build their mountain and then use string to slice it into layers. The contour map is completed by tracing the outline of each layer. It would be best to start tracing from the bottom up, so that it is possible to "eyeball" where to place each layer on the map. Materials and preparation Print the pages for the display board and glue them to the trifold. For activity 1, you will need three sheets of 8 1/2" by 11" by 1/2" styrofoam. Print the three sets of Mt. Everest slices and glue them to the styrofoam. Cut out around the outline of each piece. Print a copy of the Mt. Everest contour map for the table. This contour map will serve as the base for the styrofoam mountain. For activity 2, you should obtain a copy of a topographic map of a local natural area. It might be possible to borrow one from a library or nature center, or from a parent or teacher who hikes or hunts. Alternatively, it would be easy to purchase a topographic map from an outdoor store. If none is available, you can make a second copy of the topograhpic map which goes on the display. If you have a spare topographic map it would look nice on the right panel of the display in place of the one supplied for the module. For activity 3, you'll need some modelling clay, sewing thread, paper, and pencils. Some books or articles on Mt. Everest would be a nice addition to the display. Photo of the materials. Web Resources NOVA Online: Everest National Geographic: Everest 50 Sources I would like to thank the National Geographic Society for granting permission to post the National Geographic 1988 map of Mt. Everest, which I scanned and modified electronically to simplify and make the contours visible. I would like to thank Dr. Michael Useem, Director of the Center for Leadership and Change Management of the Wharton School, for permission to use his photo of Mt. Everest, found at http://leadership.wharton.upenn.edu/everest/index.shtml Written 2 Sep 04 by Janet A. Dixon Revised 1/11/06