The purpose of this activity was to use critical thinking skills and teamwork to create a small scale terrain survey. Using limited equipment, we were required to build a small terrain model and conduct a survey on the model using a created coordinate system.
Methods
The first step in this assignment was to build a terrain model in a planter box outside of Phillips Hall, on the UW-Eau Claire campus. We were instructed to choose between sand and snow to build the model. Our team decided to build with snow, for the dirt in the box was quite frozen. It was required to include a ridge, hill, depression, valley, and a plain in our model. Unfortunately, Laurel was sick when we had planned to do the project, so it was up to Tonya and I to complete it. Images 1 and 2 display the construction process.
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| Image 1: Terrain Construction |
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| Image 2: Terrain Construction |
After the construction of the terrain model was complete, the surveying process began. For this process, the only tools that we had to use were meter sticks, measuring tape, and string. We had a plan to use a coordinate system that used centimeter values along the X and Y axis, using 0,0 as the origin. Our team decided to use increments of 5 centimeters for the areas with a lot of elevation change, and increments of 10 centimeters in areas where there was little variation. Measuring tape was laid across both of the Y axis, and a meter stick taped to a larger stick was used as a movable X axis to make measuring much more easy.
Once the coordinate system was laid out, we began measuring the elevation of the terrain model. For this process, we simply laid the movable X axis across the box, aligning both ends at the desired Y value, and used a second meter stick to measure the distance between the top of the box and the surface of the terrain model at different X values. Tonya and I worked out a system where one person measured the Z values, while the other recorded them on a piece of paper. Images 3 and 4 display this process.
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| Image 3: Measuring Z values |
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| Image 4: Recording Z values |
After the surveying process was complete, an Excel spreadsheet was made, listing the X,Y coordinates and the corresponding Z values. Because we measured down from above the terrain, the Z values were negative. To fix this (and display the actual elevation values) we added 17 centimeters to each value. This number was chosen because the lowest recorded value was -16 centimeters. After 17 was added, each Z value was a positive integer.
Discussion
This assignment was much more of a challenge that I had originally thought. With one member short, and such cold weather, Tonya and I had our work cut out for us. In class, our professor told us how essential it is to have good problem solving skills while working in the field, and I feel like this assignment portrayed that lesson well. We ran into several challenges, and without the necessary skills to overcome them this assignment would have been even more difficult.
Some of the challenges that we faced included the weather, coordinate system details, and even some difficulties with the terrain model itself. Tonya and I overcame these challenges by working together and making the best of the situation. It would have been nice to have Laurel there to help as well, but sickness can't be predicted either so it was just another lesson to factor in to the assignment.
Conclusion
I think that Tonya and I did a great job considering all the factors and set backs. We were able to communicate well with each other and complete the project like our team had planned to do. It was a good challenge and a great lesson, and I am satisfied with the results. I feel like a valuable lesson was learned: to always make due with the situation, and complete the job with the materials that you have. Overall, I think that the assignment went well.
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