Name:
Date:
Hour:
Ms.Marek
Directions: In this lesson you will learn to navigate a Web site called Google Earth. Google Earth uses many satellite images that fit
together like a puzzle to create an accurate image of Earth from space.
Imagine that your cousin, from Seattle, is coming to visit and wants you to go with her on a trip around Alaska. Your cousin has several
questions about the places they want to visit. Use Google Earth to find the answers to her questions.
1. Log on to Google Earth
2. Use the mouse until the hand is over Alaska. Click once and “grab” then drag to center Alaska in the globe. Double-click on it once to
zoom in.
3. In the layers menu, on the lower left-hand side of the screen, click on the arrow next to the layer called “Primary Database.” This will
reveal several options. Click the boxes on and off to see what appears. You might need to zoom in to see the items. Make sure to
leave “Roads and Place” checked.
4. Now use the zoom tool and find Anchorage (on coast line).Use the orientation tools to move around and see Anchorage. The
orientation tools It will have a plus sign (+) at one end and a minus sign (-) at the other end. This tool only appears when you move the
mouse over it, and disappears when you move the mouse away. Zoom in by holding down on the plus sign until the red dot for
Anchorage appears. The round compass is useful if you need to move the image to the east, west, north or south. Experiment by
clicking the arrows until Anchorage is in the center of the screen
Next describe Anchorage using the 5 Themes of Geography
Theme Sub Theme
Anchorage detail from Google Earth
5. Your cousin is starting college next fall at the University of Alaska, in Fairbanks. You will need to type Fairbanks in to the search box
to locate the city. Next zoom in on Fairbanks until you find the university. Describe the university campus and its location in Fairbanks.
Use the pictures of the university to help you.
6. The last stop of your trip will be to Juneau, Alaska’s state capitol. Use what you’ve learned to zoom into Juneau. Compare Juneau to
Fairbanks.
Similarities
Differences
7. Your cousin will need a place to stay list the name of three hotels near the airport. The symbol for hotels is
2 hotels near the airport
8. Ms. Marek has talked about glacier hiking and your cousin wants to see a real glacier. Use the terrain tool, located in the upper right
corner (it has two plus (+) signs) to tilt the image so that you can see Juneau in 3-D! Then use the rotational tool to take a 360 degree
look at Juneau until you see the white glacier to the north of town. This glacier is called Mendenhall. What do you notice about the size
of this glacier?
Look and see if you can find a place to park and hike. Write GOOD geographic directions so that Ms. Marek can DRIVE from Juneau to
the glacier and join you on your hike. (Include details like roads, distances, and directions)
9. Finally, pick any National Park to visit in Alaska. Use Google Earth and describe the National Park.
Name of National Park
10. Explain one cool feature that Ms. Marek might want to include in the next google earth activity. Explain what this feature does and
how to access it on Google Earth