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Overview:
This lesson will help students understand that geography is not just a school subject but also an important field that enables people to make sense of the world and prepare for the future. Students will think about how various geographical pursuits can help in this planning process. They will concentrate on how photography can contribute to the process by looking at pictures by undersea photographer David Doubilet.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, earth science
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 1: "How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective"
Standard 14: "How human actions modify the physical environment"
Standard 18: "How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future"
Time:
Two hours
Materials Required:
- Computer with Internet access
- Wall map of the world
- Writing materials
Objectives:
Students will
- discuss some of the world's environmental problems and the ways in which maps can help us figure out solutions;
- discuss the ways in which geography can help people prepare and plan for the future;
- look at an ocean map, field reports from an ocean expedition, and underwater photographs, and explain how these things can help us to prepare and plan for the future of the oceans; and
- explain how specific David Doubilet photographs could contribute to the future of ocean conservation.
Geographic Skills:
Asking Geographic Questions
Acquiring Geographic Information
Answering Geographic Questions
Analyzing Geographic Information
S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e
Opening:
Ask students to name some of the problems facing the world's environment. Then ask them what types of scientific research, public education initiatives, and other techniques and tools might help to solve these problems. Point out a map on display in the classroom. Can students think of ways in which maps can help us to plan for the future?
Development:
Closing:
Ask whether anyone in the class has ever thought about becoming a photographer. If so, what types of things would they like to photograph? How do students think photography can help us plan for the planet's future? What types of photography do they think can have a particular impact on the environment or other issues facing the planet? Discuss their ideas as a class.
Suggested Student Assessment:
Have students go back to Doubilet's gallery. Ask them to pretend they have been hired by a marine conservation organization to interpret the photographs and determine how they can help the organization plan its conservation activities. Ask students to explain how each photograph might be helpful in this process. Have them write short descriptions of the photos and explain how each one can be used to promote ocean conservation, to educate the public about the oceans, and/or to help scientists learn more about the ocean.
Extending the Lesson:
- Ask students to think about a geographical theme or project they have covered in school, such as latitude and longitude or the distribution of the world's ecosystems. Have them write paragraphs explaining how this topic might be used to help people prepare and plan for the future.
- Ask students to read Doubilet's biography. Do they think he always knew he wanted to have this career? What clues did he demonstrate as a child to indicate that he might pursue a career in ocean photography? Can students think of any of their own activities and interests that could develop into careers?
- Have students search the Web to find examples of other underwater photographers' work. How does the content of these photos compare with Doubilet's? What do the other photographers focus on? How might their work help ocean conservation efforts?
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