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Introduction to Global Positioning System &
Land Surveying for k12
This page is reserved for online publications of research data, articles, and other documents, peer-reviewed or not, as well as any constructive criticism, comments and advice, related to the determination of K-12 age-possible introductory topics in Global Positioning System (GPS) and land surveying, as an instrument for the implementation of the ideas explored in the vision paper titled Proposed Model for a Streamlined, Cohesive, and Optimized K-12 STEM Curriculum with a Focus on Engineering.
Research Conclusion
A careful analysis of the course content as revealed by the college-level textbooks used in the Global Positioning System (GPS) and land surveying has lead to the conclusion that for all practical purposes, the overwhelming majority of all knowledge content in the selected textbooks could be taught to high school students. Thus, the research on this subject has been completed.
Possible Grade-Level to Introduce this Subject
High school, grade to be determined.
Original Research Data Tables
Complete Report
edward_k12_landsurvey_report.pdf | |
File Size: | 329 kb |
File Type: |
Textbooks Used as Sources of Data
Elementary Surveying An Introduction to Geomatics by Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf, 919 pages long, is one of the most popular textbooks on the subject, and is used at East Los Angeles College and many other places. After a careful and thorough examination of all pages in this textbook, it has been concluded that
(1) The mathematics concepts and skills used in the analytic and predictive computational formulas are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, at pre-calculus level, and most of them are in the categories of basic arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, matrix; and they include [four operations], [fraction], [power], [root], [triangle], [Pythagorean Theorem], [trigonometric functions], [ratio], [summation], [systems of units], [significant figures], [table], [chart], [graph], [measurements] (distance or length, width, height, angle in degrees/minutes/seconds, arc, chord and radians], [area] (triangle, rectangle, circle), [volume], [geometric solids] (ellipsoid, geoid), [triangulation], [cross section], [Cartesian Coordinates], [point or node], [origin], [axes] (X, Y, Z), [planes] (XY, YZ, XZ), [quadrant], [bearing], [azimuths], [latitude], [longitude], [direction] (east, west, north, south, clockwise, counterclockwise), [parallelism], [perpendicularity], [intersection], [convergence], [tangency], [lines] (vertical, horizontal, straight, curve, irregular), [trigonometric functions], and [matrix]. This textbook include Appendix E (Introduction to Matrix, pages 903-910). (2) Only less than 10 pages out of a total of 919 pages for the whole book, and 3 Sections out of 430 contain formulas using basic calculus skills such as [first partial derivative]; the Sections and pages are Sections 16.3 Least-Squares Adjustment by the Observation Equation Method (pages 415, 416, 418), 16.9 Least-Squares Adjustment of Traditional Horizontal Plane Surveys (page 433, 434), 17.10 Three-Dimensional Conformal Coordinate Transformation (page 482). For all practical purposes, special training session could be conducted on beginning calculus skills or the concerned Sections could be omitted. (3) For all practical purposes, no prior mastery of knowledge or skills in physics and chemistry is needed for the completion of reading and homework assignments. (4) Approximately 70% of content is descriptive and informational, without analytic and predictive computational formulas. Based on the above analysis, this textbook is high school age-possible. |
Surveying
Principles and Applications, 4th Edition, written by Barry F. Kavanagh and S. J. Glenn
Bird, 687 pages long, with 16 Chapters (243 Sections), is one of the most popular textbooks on the subject of land surveying. After a careful and thorough examination of all pages in this textbook, it has been concluded that
(1) As expected, and similar to the Elementary Surveying An Introduction to Geomatics by Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf, the mathematics concepts and skills used in the analytic and predictive computational formulas are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, at pre-calculus level, and most of them are in the categories of basic arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, matrix; and they include [four operations], [fraction], [power], [root], [summation], [triangle], [Pythagorean Theorem], [trigonometric functions], [ratio], [systems of units], [significant figures], [table], [chart], [graph], [measurements] (distance or length, width, height, angle in degrees/minutes/seconds, arc, chord, radians], [area] (triangle, rectangle, circle), [volume], [geometric solids] (ellipsoid, geoid), [triangulation], [cross section], [Cartesian Coordinates], [point or node], [origin], [axes] (X, Y, Z), [planes] (XY, YZ, XZ), [quadrant], [bearing], [azimuths], [latitude], [longitude], [direction] (east, west, north, south, clockwise, counterclockwise), [parallelism], [perpendicularity], [intersection], [convergence], [tangency], [lines] (vertical, horizontal, straight, curve, irregular), and [trigonometric functions]. (2) Only less than 5 pages out of a total of 687 pages for the whole book, and 1 Sections out of 243 contains formulas using basic calculus skills such as [first derivative] and [second derivative], in Section 10.12 Vertical Curves: General, pages 342 and 343. For all practical purposes, special training session could be conducted on beginning calculus skills or the concerned Sections could be omitted. (3) The textbook include Appendix A (Random Errors and Survey Specifications, pages 642-673) and Appendix B (Trigonometric Definitions and Identities, pages 674-677) as references for mathematics review. (4) For all practical purposes, no prior mastery of knowledge or skills in physics and chemistry is needed for the completion of reading and homework assignments. (5) Approximately 70% of content is descriptive and informational, without analytic and predictive computational formulas. Based on the above analysis, this textbook is high school age-possible. |
About this course ...
The Fall 2014 Class Schedule of East Los Angeles College (page 44) gives the following description for this course: "This is a beginning course in plane surveying.
Topics include horizontal linear measurements using pacing, steel tape, stadia and
electronic distance measurement (EDM); circuit and profile differential leveling;
measurement of horizontal and vertical angles; computation of azimuth, bearing,
latitude, departure and coordinates and area of a traverse; balancing a closed traverse
using the compass rule and
rotation adjustments of a closed traverse; and introduction to geographic information system (GIS)
and global positioning system (GPS) Technical lectures also include topics
pertaining to technical writing and presentations. An introductory topic in terrain modeling
using Microstation and/or AutoCAD software is demonstrated and field work
is also performed." This course counts as 3.0 units in the semester system, and is transferable to all campuses in both the University of California and the California State University Systems. The only pre-requisite course listed is Mathematics 241 (Trigonometry).
RESEARCH OUTCOMES Navigator:
(1) Engineering Foundation (Introduction to STEAM for K12, Statics for K12, Dynamics for K12, Strength of Materials for K12, Engineering Materials for K12, Statistics& Probabilities for K12, and Engineering Economics for K12);
(2) Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Design for K12, Fluid Mechanics for K12, Aerodynamics for K12, Heat Transfer for K12, Thermodynamics for K12);
(3) Engineering Technology (CADD& Product Design for K12, Manufacturing Processes for K12, Engineering Programming for K12);
(4) Civil Engineering (Introduction to Computerized Civil Engineering Design for K12, Introduction to Global Positioning System & Land Surveying for K12, Introduction to Structural Design for K12);
(5) Electrical Engineering (Introduction to Electrical & Electronics Devices for K12, Introduction to Circuit Analysis & Simulation for K12, Introduction to Robotics & Programming for K12);
(6) Capstone Engineering Design and Research;
(7) Available K12 STEAM Learning Resources;
(8) Mathematics Pre-requisites for Undergraduate Engineering Programs;
(9) Recommended Artistic Skills for STEM Professionals.
(1) Engineering Foundation (Introduction to STEAM for K12, Statics for K12, Dynamics for K12, Strength of Materials for K12, Engineering Materials for K12, Statistics& Probabilities for K12, and Engineering Economics for K12);
(2) Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Design for K12, Fluid Mechanics for K12, Aerodynamics for K12, Heat Transfer for K12, Thermodynamics for K12);
(3) Engineering Technology (CADD& Product Design for K12, Manufacturing Processes for K12, Engineering Programming for K12);
(4) Civil Engineering (Introduction to Computerized Civil Engineering Design for K12, Introduction to Global Positioning System & Land Surveying for K12, Introduction to Structural Design for K12);
(5) Electrical Engineering (Introduction to Electrical & Electronics Devices for K12, Introduction to Circuit Analysis & Simulation for K12, Introduction to Robotics & Programming for K12);
(6) Capstone Engineering Design and Research;
(7) Available K12 STEAM Learning Resources;
(8) Mathematics Pre-requisites for Undergraduate Engineering Programs;
(9) Recommended Artistic Skills for STEM Professionals.
Freedom and opportunities! You will have the right to a high quality K12 science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education!
¡Libertad y oportunitades! ¡Usted va a tener el derecho a una K12 educación de alta calidad en ciencia, tecnología, ingenería, artes y matematica (CTIAM)!
自由和机会!你们将拥有接受高质量的、贯穿幼儿园到中小学阶段的科学、技术、工程、艺术和数学教育的权利!
¡Libertad y oportunitades! ¡Usted va a tener el derecho a una K12 educación de alta calidad en ciencia, tecnología, ingenería, artes y matematica (CTIAM)!
自由和机会!你们将拥有接受高质量的、贯穿幼儿园到中小学阶段的科学、技术、工程、艺术和数学教育的权利!