National Geographic Society Began Giant Traveling Maps Of
Mapping Indiana’s Bicentennial: Creating Giant County Maps & Timelines … Webinar of February 9, 2016 transcription
Brief History
National Geographic Society began Giant Traveling Maps of
Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America
Newest NGS Giant Map is of the bottom of the Pacific Ocean
Giant Maps travel in plastic sewer tubes (10ft. long)
Resource Trunk
-Ancillary materials:
4 sets of colored cones, plastic chains, blocks, disks, laminated physical & human
themed cards (accessible everywhere, gyms, classrooms, etc.)
-Curriculum Guide: K-12
Because Indiana is a national leader in geospatial technologies and in geography education, the data wasavailable to create a Giant Map of Indiana.
GENI began with a Giant Traveling Map of Indiana, which includes a map and resource trunk
map content determined by K-12 educators
map utilized existing geospatial data and newly researched data
IUPUI GIS graduate student, Ken Simmons, and Geography faculty member, Jeff Wilson
15’ wide x 21’ long
vinyl: 3-5’ sections sewn together
Resource Trunk:
-Ancillary Materials: Colored cones, plastic chains, books, blocks, tornado icons, laminated IN
Governors and place cards (many different activities available)
-Curriculum Guide: K-12 connected to Academic Standards
As the state’s bicentennial approached, several educators and GIS professionals
were collaborating on other projects. As time evolved we determined to create legacy resources that would benefit citizens of every county across the state. THANKS to previous work by The Harrison County Community Foundation, Community Unity, and the IUS Center for Cultural Resources, a Harrison County Giant Map and Timeline was produced… and the seed was planted!
As a result and THANKS to generous support from the Lilly Endowment, we began to work toward the goal of creating a giant county map and timeline for each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Kosciusko County became the guinea pig due to a very nice GIS professional volunteer; a rough draft Kosciusko County Giant Map was created, and a series of steps were refined… a tentative process was born. You can see the finished Kosciusko County Giant Map via the GENI webpage follow the Mapping Indiana’s Bicentennial link.
Do not panic … you do not have to be a GIS professional to proceed
GIS= Geographical Information Systems/Science
Basically, 21st century software used to manage spatial data in order to answer questions, solve, problems, & plan for the future in the form of maps (charts, graphs, and other visual/mathematical tools).
- Information for creating the maps is almost like a cheeseburger. It has many different layers of data and input into creating the entire map. (streets, land usage, parcels, etc.)
Goal:
To introduce Indiana to students and citizens to their communities, state, nation, and beyond using unique, recrafted, traditional teaching tools in preparation for 21st century knowledge, skills, research, & employment as we commemorate Indiana’s bicentennial.
Maps can be borrowed or checked out for different periods of time
Recognized as a Bicentennial Legacy Project by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission
Several county-level Giant County Maps & Timelines have also received recognition as a Legacy Project.
We encourage your Giant County Maps & Timelines Planning Team to apply for this recognition; GENI has a prototype application for you to utilize (prepared by the IBC to help move this Project forward)
The Indiana Bicentennial Commission has amazing staff to work with, too, under the direction of Mr. Perry Hammock… if needed invite him to visit your county!
Process in Brief
Establish a Giant County Map & Timeline Planning Team (as works for your county):: educators, students, GIS professionals, county historians, county bicentennial commission members, librarians, museum education outreach staff, economic development professionals, chamber of commerce members, local business leaders, parks …
Meet to discuss the types of information that you would like included on the map
- PDF rough drafts are available for all 92 counties … providing a uniform look that connects all of the maps & timelines and providing a place FROM which to begin
- Remember that maps should not be too busy; information can be incorporated through lesson plans, activities, and ancillary materials as the project evolves (again, whatever is appropriate for your county)
Gather the information
- May already exist in a mapped format (IndianaMap as a possible resource)
- May need to research the places and collect the data:
- Excel Spreadsheet: name of place, type of place (school, library, museum…), physical address, latitude, longitude(a prototype is available)
Finalize the information; send to the GENI office for inclusion with the rough draft
Seek local sponsors: local parks, local museums, small businesses, elected officials, surveyors, GIS organizations…
- Either via telephone, e-mail, or letter (a prototype is available if needed)
- You are not alone in this endeavor! We are here to help as needed!
Approximately $420.00 to print
- One 10’ x 10’ map on vinyl
- One 12” x 12’+timeline on vinyl
- 10 laminated color legends (8”x11.5”)
- 5 laminated color aerial photographs (8”x11.5”)
- 5 laminated color satellite images depicting change over time (8”x11.5”)
All maps will contain:
Topography
Roadways & labels (not short roads)
Water bodies & labels (unless too much hydrography)
Latitude/longitude
Grid system (ABC…, 123…)
Neighboring county names
County inset in a state county map
Brief description of county name
Partner/sponsor logos
Scale
North arrow
Grommets along top for hanging
Additional information from Planning Team
All timelines will contain:
County history as deemed pertinent by the Planning Team
Indiana history (already provided but certainly not complete)
U.S./World history (ditto)
Images as available
Partner/sponsor logos
Grommets for hanging
Kosciusko County Giant Map (final)
Blue and red reflective of bicentennial colors
Topography in light gray
Roadways
Schools
Libraries
Cemeteries
Water bodies (with some labeled)
Logos at top and bottom
County inset within state county map (bottom)
North arrow
Brief history of name “Kosciusko” (lower right)
Scale
Latitude/Longitude
Grid (ABC…, 123…)
Neighboring county names
--This map is undergoing a subtle change as the others evolve, technology improves, and more ideas arise.—
Morgan County Giant Map rough draft. Note the differences from the Kosciusko County in regards to the topography color and the topography imagery outside of the county boundaries – very opaque.
You can see that this map needs polishing in terms of scale location, North arrow, county inset in IN county map, county name description, appropriate logos, grid, lat/long … plus additions that the Morgan County Giant County Map & Timeline Planning Team want to make.
About 12 pages in a PDF of information to create the entire Tippecanoe County Giant Timeline
Also included will be an aerial photograph of your county (8”x11.5”)
AND a collection of satellite images of your county depicting change over time.
Resources
Local data from County Historian, County GIS Coordinator, County Surveyor…
Local and state historical information (libraries, museums, history centers…)
Indiana State Library
Indiana State Data Center
IndianaView (
IndianaMap (maps.Indiana.edu)
Colleagues, educators, researchers…
Existing curriculum associated with the Giant Traveling Map of Indiana (visit the GENI webpage) or a few suggested activities for the Giant County Maps & Timelines (visit the Mapping Indiana’s Bicentennial Project via GENI webpage)
You are not alone!!! We are here to help!
About the GIS (mapping)
Your do not have to be a GIS expert!
If someone on the Giant County Map & Timeline Planning Teamknows how to do GIS, contact the GENI office, , and we will connect you with the appropriate process/folks undertaking this side of the project.
If Members of the Planning Team do not know how to do GIS, that is fine! An Excel spreadsheet prototype is available to easily gather data from which the GIS folks can create map layers.
You are not alone! We are here to help!
Indiana State Library, Indiana State Data Center
317.232.3733 Reference Desk
Partners and Sponsors
We are here to help!
Many of you are very savvy, experienced, and connected in seeking Partners and Sponsors.
IF needed … A Prototype letter is available for your Planning Team to use to seek partners and sponsors. The letter has the original Mapping Indiana’s Bicentennial: Giant County Maps & Timelines Project Partner logos and brief language, but your County Planning Team can add logos and edit the language as you feel would best suit your county.
All Partners and Sponsors will be recognized on the Giant County Map and Timeline via the GENI web page, and in outreach and information about the Mapping Indiana’s Bicentennial: Giant County Maps & Timelines Project.
Postcards and THANK YOU notes are also available if needed.
Questions: question box on screen or send an e-mail to
Archive of this webinar link will be sent to you
Follow the Project on the GENI webpage:
Call317.274.8879 if you have questions, concerns, or items that you would like to discuss or just to chat
Professional Development recognition (PGP’s)>send an e-mail
Katie Springer Mike Davis Kathy Lamb Kozenski
Librarian, IN State Library GIS Graduate Student, GENI/IUPUI ExecutiveDirector/GENI
Coordinator, IN State Data Center
THANK YOU and BE WELL!