If you really go on the trip, try and find your way using some of the
following methods.
If you do a virtual trip, explain the methods you could have used to find
your way.
ORIENTATION WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS
There are many ways you can find your way without using instruments.
Here are some simple ways:
❚
Observe the position of the Sun
. At dawn, stand with your arms
out in a cross. Point your right arm in the direction of the Sun, in
the east. Your left hand is pointing west; north is in front of you and
behind you is south.
If you turn your back to the Sun at 12 noon (solar time) your shadow
will point north, your right hand, east; your left hand, west and your
back will face south.
❚
Observe the shadow of a stick
. In a flat area, push a half metre-long or
longer stick into the ground and observe its shadow.
◗
Place a stone (A) on the shadow, 50 cm from the stick.
◗
Three hours later, the shadow will have moved. Place another stone (B)
on the shadow, the same distance from the stick as the first stone. Mark
a straight line between both points.
◗
Point A indicates west and B, east. If you mark a line from the stick to the
centre of line (A-B) it will indicate north and behind the stick will be south.
❚
Observe the trees
. In wet forest areas, the trunks often have moss,
lichen or are darker on one side. This side is usually the side facing north,
which is cooler and wetter than the southern side.
❚
Observe the Moon
. When the Moon is close to its first quarter, or
waxing crescent (1), the tips point west. In contrast, in the last quarter, or
waning crescent (2), they point east.
Procedure
A well-mapped route
1
You are going to plan a trip (either real or virtual) to a natural setting in the area
you live in. To do this, you will need a map of the area to mark your itinerary. Then,
in order to follow the route, you will apply some basic geographic orientation
techniques.
In groups of four or five, choose where you want to go
and find an adult to accompany you.
Then collect maps of the area (even if you can’t take
them with you).
Preparation
You can find maps and
explore
places
using
Google maps (Google
street view).
MATERIALS
❚
Notebook
❚
Map of the area chosen
❚
Rope (1 or 2 metres
long)
❚
Camera
❚
Compass
❚
GPS (optional)
❚
Mobile phone (optional)
24
N
S
A
B
1
2
N
E
S
W
