Catalyst ED: Mapping Your Local Environment

Curriculum Guide

Extended Learning Materials & Art and Science Standards Connections

Additional Vocab:

Data - Facts or information, especially when examined and used to find out things or make decisions
Map Key - An explanation of the symbols used in a map or plan
Scientific Illustration - An scientifically accurate drawing of a specimen or natural artifact
In the Field - A phrase relating to doing research or observations in the actual environment, away from the lab or studio

Extended Learning:

Research the history of cartography and understand how the cartographer’s perspective and cultural knowledge influence what is included and excluded from maps.
Compare topographical and nautical maps that were created 100 years ago to contemporary maps. How has data-collection progressed to influence this shift?
How have maps and social use of them changed now that we have access to digital maps at our fingertips?
Look at The Map As Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography by Katherine Harmon, a book of artists who use map-making as part of their practice
Identify and research natural items you found in your environment. How do their prevalence and distribution vary over time in the ecosystem?
Have students make observations and quantify populations of organisms in different ecosystem levels (producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, etc.) and develop an investigative question based on their observations
Ask students to use the same methods to create a map of a different area. What similarities/differences do you notice? What can account for observable differences in the natural environment?
Have students represent the collected natural materials with mathematical models to determine the biodiversity of their area.

Art Standards:

Anchor Standard #1: Generate and Conceptualize Works of Art

HS Accomplished VA:Cr1.2IIa
Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art and design.

HS Proficient VA:Cr1.2Ia
Shape an artistic investigation of an aspect of present-day life using a contemporary practice of art or design

NGSS Practices:

HS-LS2-2
Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

Primary Practice:

Developing and Using Models
Students construct a map that can be used as a tool to represent their natural environments.

Secondary Practices:

Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Analyze and Interpreting Data

Catalyst ED brings leading STEAM education experts into your classroom through hands-on activities designed to engage high school students in creative thinking in both the arts and sciences. Catalyst ED video lessons were produced with the support of a COVID-19 Emergency & Recovery Grant from the City of Cambridge, MA. Catalyst ED materials were developed by STEAM educator Kyle Browne with a scientific education review by Natacha Meyer.

Kyle Browne is a Boston-based artist and educator. She has put the 'A' in STEAM curriculum as an arts education consultant with the Cambridge Public Schools, MIT, Lesley University and the Cambridge STEAM Initiative. She teaches highschool visual art and design with Boston Public Schools and has a multi-disciplinary art practice. Her work is exhibited regularly around Boston and she enjoys nature-based experiences. Natacha Meyer is a science education consultant with experience working at the Museum of Science and the Cambridge STEAM Initiative. Kyle and Natacha developed the STEAM Habits of Mind together for the Cambridge STEAM Initiative.