Lesson

Archaeo-Tech: LIDAR

Lesson Overview

Students build a miniature landscape in a sandbox and use tools to measure elevations at various points.  By converting these measurements and coloring a graph, they create a 2D elevation model similar to those produced by LIDAR technology used in archaeology and other fields.

Duration
1-2 hours
Lesson Type
Traditional Lesson

Essential Question

How can scientists use remote sensing technologies like LIDAR to create detailed elevation models of landscapes, and how can these models be used to study and understand the world around us?

Grade(s):

Subject(s):

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

8

Materials
• Sandbox LIDAR Lesson and Worksheet (1 for every student)
• Lab Equipment:
o Large Clear Plastic Boxes (1 for every group)
o Sand (enough to fill every box halfway)
o Small decorative props (like LEGO ®, Monopoly ® Houses & Hotels,
Miniature Plastic Trees, small rocks)
o Graph paper (1 piece of graph paper for every group)
o String (2 pieces of string for every group; the string needs to be long
enough to stretch across the top of the plastic box)
o Line Level (or String Level) (1 for every group; this will be used to make
sure the students are level when taking measurements)
o Ruler (1 for every group)
o Markers or Colored Pencils

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Lesson Created By: MegGaillard

Lesson Partners: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources