Please fill out the form below to access our Poster Hotsheet:
Teaching kids about surveying and geospatial careers can be a fun and interactive way to introduce them to the world of geography, technology, and problem-solving.
We’ve brainstormed 10 easy and engaging activities that can help kids learn about surveying:
1. Map Reading and Creation
- Activity: Start with a basic map of your local area or a park. Show them how to read a map, identify landmarks, and understand the scale.
- Make it Fun: Create a scavenger hunt where they have to find specific locations or objects using the map. You can also encourage them to draw a simple map of their home or neighbourhood.
2. Use of Compasses and GPS
- Activity: Introduce them to a compass and explain how surveyors use it for navigation and orientation. Teach them the basics of cardinal directions (North, South, East, West).
- Make it Fun: Go on a “treasure hunt” using a compass or a GPS device. You can set up a simple geocaching activity where they have to find hidden objects using clues and GPS coordinates.
3. Hands-On Measuring
- Activity: Show them how surveyors use tools to measure distances and angles. Use a measuring tape, a ruler, or a simple laser measuring tool.
- Make it Fun: Have a friendly competition to measure the dimensions of different objects or areas around the house or yard. For example, ask them to measure the height of a tree or the length of a garden bed.
4. Geocaching:
-
Activity: Download the geocaching app where students use GPS to find hidden items around the local area, teaching them about coordinates and navigation.
-
Make it Fun: Make it their homework to go and explore on more walks to find the most amount of geocaches that they can find!
5. Teach Basic Geometry Concepts
- Activity: Surveying involves a lot of geometry, such as understanding shapes, angles, and distances. Introduce basic geometric concepts through puzzles or games.
- Make it Fun: Use fun activities like building shapes with sticks, drawing large geometric patterns on the ground with chalk, or creating 3D models with clay or blocks.
6. Aerial Drone Demonstrations
- Activity: If you have access to a drone, explain how modern surveyors use drones for aerial mapping and data collection.
- Make it Fun: Demonstrate a drone flight and show them how the drone captures images or videos from above. Kids could try piloting a drone under supervision to capture their own data or footage.
7. Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) Exploration
- Activity: Many educational VR/AR apps allow users to explore different environments or even experience virtual geospatial tasks.
- Make it Fun: Use VR headsets or AR apps on smartphones or tablets to explore virtual worlds, understand topography, or learn how surveyors map out different terrains.
8. Field Trips
- Activity: Plan a visit to a local surveying or mapping company, or a geographic information system (GIS) lab at a nearby university.
- Make it Fun: Make it a family day trip where they can see real-life surveyors at work or talk to professionals in the field. Let them ask questions about the tools and techniques they use.
9. Interactive Online Tools and Games
- Activity: Use online platforms and games that focus on geography, map-making, and spatial reasoning.
- Make it Fun: Websites like Google Earth, NASA WorldWind, or Geoguessr provide interactive ways to explore maps, satellite images, and the globe. Many of these tools also include fun quizzes and challenges.
10. Hands-on GIS Mapping Projects
- Activity: Introduce Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by creating simple maps. Free tools like QGIS or ArcGIS Online provide basic functionality to create custom maps.
- Make it Fun: Ask them to create a map showing their favourite places in their town or plan a bike ride, using layers to add different elements (like parks, schools, etc.).
Let us know if you’ve done any cool activities with your kids over summer? We’d love to add some more examples to inspire other parents to head out and explore!