10 Ways to Use Google Earth For STEM
The days of pointing to a globe in front of a classroom of students, complaining they can't see anything, has been past for a long time. Google Earth has made it easy to visit anywhere on earth easily. We where all impressed with its amazing satellite images and street views BUT there have been a lot of new items added to Google Earth recently. As a teacher when I dove into it I was shocked and amazed. There is much more than the traditional maps to use in the classroom. I kicked myself for not using it sooner. Check out the ten things I found that can be used in class to learn and explore. 1. Time Travel Using the time travel tool up on the tool bar you can explore different times of satellite images. This is an amazing way to study changes in building, weather, water levels, as well as whatever you would do with your ability to travel through time. 2. Flight Simulator You can fly a Jet or a small plane over any place on Earth or out of Earth. This is a fun way to test your flying skills while enjoying views from high above. With the full landscape mode on as well as 3D building it makes the experience so realistic you may get a little motion sick. 3. Space Exploration Google Earth may soon need to be renamed Google space exploration. You can now visit the moon, Mars, and many other constellations. The images taken from powerful cameras gives you such a feeling of exploration. Warning-be careful your Treck-y or Star Wars Side may take over. 4. Scavenger Hunts This one can be a blast! There are so many strange things that have been captured on Google Earth. Some of which must be strange camera tricks and others that may make you question humanity. Last year I stumbled on a story of a man that drove his car into a small pond and I was able to go back in time and see the car. It was a little eerie but what you will discover will be very exciting.
5. Animal Tracking
You can now follow animals that scientists have tagged. You can research their migration pattern, You can even follow a digital path showing nearly their every step. This is so fascinating and much more research based than facts on a page. 6. Shipwrecks Search underwater shipwrecks. Attached YouTube videos showing dive ventures bring them to life. An article pops up when you click on the shipwreck sharing information such as who has explored it and the history of how it came to be. 7. Measurement You can measure almost everything accurately. Measure distances from place to place or just the diameter of the building you are in. You can use this for learning real life relations of measurement conversion. I have found the distance I traveled before or after a long trip. I have also found the perimeter of our Disneyland Rides as well as our school playground. 8. Explore your Neighborhood Ok I know this one is not that new but it is still as fun to do as always. Plus, with updated images and 360 upload exploration you are bound to find something new you didn't see before.
9. Explore Famous Landmarks
You can visit the Stature of Liberty, The Eiffel Tower, or even Gettysburg. You can avoid the crowd plus get different views that you would only see if you purchased a helicopter ride. Go to strange exotic places. Even choose a place at random and see if others can figure out where they are with clues around. 10. Global Awareness Global Awareness is packed with so much information you will be amazed by the large variety of perspective you gain. Anything from droughts, wildfires, wars, or even political unrest. Get a feel for what is really going on in our world. This one you have to play with to really know its value.
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Author- Jeff Hall is a techy-teacher.
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