ORIENTEERING AS A TOOL TO TEACH MAP READING AND COMPASS SKILLS

As a way to enhance map reading and map making skills for introductory geology students, I created a laboratory in orienteering. Orienteering is a field-based sport that promotes problem-solving skills. The goals of this activity include increasing students understanding of how to navigate with a compass and map, interpreting landforms on a map and deciding the most effective route through an area. In this activity students were given a base map of the Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus, a compass and a GPS unit. The course created used eight orienteering course markers and punches. The course markers were hung on tree branches and manmade features along a linear path. The distance between markers varied. After a short description of pace and compass mapping, students were given a starting station marker and asked to plot the location of various markers onto their map by taking bearing and pacing distances. The location of the marker was then verified using a GPS unit. Students were required to navigate around buildings and vegetation. Time was recorded to make the activity more competitive but was not reflected in the student grade. Students evaluated the laboratory based on difficulty, enjoyment and projected utility of learning how to use a GPS unit, compass and map in the future. Strategies for creating an orienteering course and laboratory design are presented. With modifications based on age and ability, this orienteering activity can be used with K-16 students.