A laboratory assignment entitled Continued Exploration of Topographic Maps:
Determining Elevation laboratory was developed to give high-school students an opportunity to
collect, analyze, and interpret data after they have been introduced to topographic maps and
associated terminology. Survey equipment (automatic level, graduated staff, and tripod) is used to
collect data with the goal of creating a topographic profile along a linear transect on campus. This
assignment sets itself apart from traditional introductory earth science labs because the students
are using instrumentation to collect data, rather than having a data set provided for them. The
benefits of this assignment include: 1) further understanding of topographic maps, 2) practice with
the conversion of English units to metric, 3) familiarity with the concepts of precision and
accuracy of data collection, 4) practice in evaluating mathematical formulas, 5) collaboration with
peers. This lab is designed to be completed in four laboratory hours: two hours for data collection
and two hours for analyses and lab report writing.