Difference between revisions of "Road Scholar"
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Participants are to be able to interpret, collect data, and make conjectures from maps, usually road and/or topographic maps. Competitors must also be able to draw maps. Participants are given 50 minutes to answer questions pertaining to the map. | Participants are to be able to interpret, collect data, and make conjectures from maps, usually road and/or topographic maps. Competitors must also be able to draw maps. Participants are given 50 minutes to answer questions pertaining to the map. | ||
| − | =The Event= | + | ==The Event== |
Road Scholar is split up into three sections: Topographic maps, or quadrangles, state highway maps, and map drawing. All three of these sections must be completed within the 50 minute time period. | Road Scholar is split up into three sections: Topographic maps, or quadrangles, state highway maps, and map drawing. All three of these sections must be completed within the 50 minute time period. | ||
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| + | You need to know the very basics of maps to begin working on Road Scholar. You need to know all of the directions. North, South, East, West, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest. Even though this may sound stupid, you also need to know how to fold a map. If the map is folded incorrectly, you may get a penalty for not cleaning up properly. After you know the basics, learn everything found below. | ||
==Topographic Maps (Quadrangles)== | ==Topographic Maps (Quadrangles)== | ||
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:'''Map Location'''- This can be found in the top right corner of the quad. On the first line it will say the location, and on the second it will say the state. | :'''Map Location'''- This can be found in the top right corner of the quad. On the first line it will say the location, and on the second it will say the state. | ||
:'''Neat Lines'''- These are the outer boundaries of the map. They keep the map "neat". | :'''Neat Lines'''- These are the outer boundaries of the map. They keep the map "neat". | ||
| − | :''' | + | :'''Graticule Tick Marks'''- There are four of these on the quad. They divide the map into 9 sectors, one for each of the eight directions. Often times on a test it will say to find an object in a "sector". The sectors are labeled from left to right accross the map. |
| + | :'''Latitude and Longitude'''- Each degree of both latitude and longitude can be split up into 60 minutes. Within each of those 60 minutes, there are 60 seconds. Each of the four corners and each of the four graticule tick marks have their coordinates labeled. For any other location though, it needs to be calculated. | ||
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| + | . | ||
:'''Series'''- All quads used in Road Scholar are in the 7.5 minute series. | :'''Series'''- All quads used in Road Scholar are in the 7.5 minute series. | ||
:'''Scale'''- All quads used in Road Scholar have a scale of 1:24000. | :'''Scale'''- All quads used in Road Scholar have a scale of 1:24000. | ||
:'''Legend'''- This can be found in the bottom right corner of the quad. It shows what each of the types of roads are. Primary, unimproved, etc. | :'''Legend'''- This can be found in the bottom right corner of the quad. It shows what each of the types of roads are. Primary, unimproved, etc. | ||
:'''Contour Lines'''- These brown lines indicate the elevation. | :'''Contour Lines'''- These brown lines indicate the elevation. | ||
| − | :*Index contour lines are darker brown than intermediate. The elevation is written on the line. | + | :*'''Index contour lines''' are darker brown than intermediate. The elevation is written on the line. |
| − | :*Intermediate countour lines are a little bit of a lighter brown color. The elevation is not written on the line. | + | :*'''Intermediate countour lines''' are a little bit of a lighter brown color. The elevation is not written on the line. |
:'''Contour Interval'''- This is found in the center of the bottom margin of the quad. This number indicates the number of feet between each contour line. | :'''Contour Interval'''- This is found in the center of the bottom margin of the quad. This number indicates the number of feet between each contour line. | ||
:'''Magnetic Declination'''- There is a diagram located at the center of the bottom margin of the quad. This diagram will have three (sometimes two) lines coming out of it. The one straight up is true north. One of the other two will say MN. This is magnetic north. The magnetic declination is the number of degrees between true north and magnetic north, and it is written right next to line MN. | :'''Magnetic Declination'''- There is a diagram located at the center of the bottom margin of the quad. This diagram will have three (sometimes two) lines coming out of it. The one straight up is true north. One of the other two will say MN. This is magnetic north. The magnetic declination is the number of degrees between true north and magnetic north, and it is written right next to line MN. | ||
:'''Map Symbols'''- The map symbols needed during the event can be found here: [http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/ Map Symbols] | :'''Map Symbols'''- The map symbols needed during the event can be found here: [http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/ Map Symbols] | ||
| − | :'''Survey Control Marks'''- | + | :'''Survey Control Marks'''- These are specific points on a quad that give the exact elevation of a place that is not found on a countour line. You need to know control station marks, spot elevations, and benchmarks. The symbols for each of these can be found in the topographic map symbols booklet. |
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:'''Slope Gradient'''- Use the formula "change in elevation/distance x 100" to find the answer. | :'''Slope Gradient'''- Use the formula "change in elevation/distance x 100" to find the answer. | ||
:'''Public Land Survey System (PLSS)'''- On the bottom and side neat lines of the quad, you will see something that might say T. 5 S and R. 5 E. T stands for township and R stands for Range. Within each of these divisions, there are 36 sections. You can find the number of the section on the quad in red in the center of the section. Each section has four quarters, NE, NW, SE, and SW. Within each of those quarters are another four quarters, once again being NE, NW, SE, and SW. After you have all of this information for a specific location, you could write it out like this: NE 1/4 NW 1/4 14 T. 5 S R. 6 E. Pretend that there is an "of the" between the NE 1/4 and the NW 1/4. This means that it is the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 14. Please note that not all states use PLSS so not all quads have PLSS on them. | :'''Public Land Survey System (PLSS)'''- On the bottom and side neat lines of the quad, you will see something that might say T. 5 S and R. 5 E. T stands for township and R stands for Range. Within each of these divisions, there are 36 sections. You can find the number of the section on the quad in red in the center of the section. Each section has four quarters, NE, NW, SE, and SW. Within each of those quarters are another four quarters, once again being NE, NW, SE, and SW. After you have all of this information for a specific location, you could write it out like this: NE 1/4 NW 1/4 14 T. 5 S R. 6 E. Pretend that there is an "of the" between the NE 1/4 and the NW 1/4. This means that it is the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 14. Please note that not all states use PLSS so not all quads have PLSS on them. | ||
| + | :'''Stream Flow Direction'''- The contour lines located on the stream will always point upstream. For example, if the countour line is pointing NW, the stream will be flowing to the SE. | ||
==Highway Maps== | ==Highway Maps== | ||
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:'''Grid System'''- Highway maps have a grid system. Go to the number and letter, and bring your fingers together. If you are looking for a specific city, you can find the city on the chart on the side of the map. Next to the city will be the grid description. | :'''Grid System'''- Highway maps have a grid system. Go to the number and letter, and bring your fingers together. If you are looking for a specific city, you can find the city on the chart on the side of the map. Next to the city will be the grid description. | ||
:'''Population'''- The population of a city is usually found on the side of the map next to the city name. You can also find the grid location there. | :'''Population'''- The population of a city is usually found on the side of the map next to the city name. You can also find the grid location there. | ||
| + | :'''Insert Maps'''- These insets are usually found on the back of the state highway maps. They show a close-up view of a city or region. Questions may be asked about a specific intersection or road on that inset. Questions like that can usually not be asked on a highway map. | ||
==Map Drawing== | ==Map Drawing== | ||