Teaching Geographic Literacy Using Astronaut Photography and Google Earth

Geospatial browsers such as Google Earth are a powerful tool for virtual geographic and geologic education. The ability of users to add geolocated placemarks, and embed additional content such as images and html links, greatly enhances the potential for interactive geoscience education. We present a Google Earth-based series of geographic briefing modules used in training of International Space Station astronauts for recognition of major terrestrial features and landforms from low earth orbit. The modules are designed to accommodate both instructor-driven presentation and automated flyover tour modes, and include direct query links to the online digital database of astronaut photographs of Earth.

This direct query functionality provides a wealth of seasonal and multi-resolution imagery of selected locations that augments available Google Earth imagery, and is a useful data resource for more detailed geomorphology, structural geology, oceanography, and ecology education. The training modules have been presented to astronauts with a wide range of geographic knowledge, simulating exposure to a broad range of class levels. All components of the modules (Google Earth, Wikipedia, and the Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth) are freely available on the Internet, making this a robust and attractive approach to improving terrestrial geographic literacy. In addition, use of astronaut-acquired remotely sensed data for geoscience education - particularly K-12 - enhances interest in human space exploration and STEM career paths.