🎯 Learning Intention

Today, I will explain what a coordinate system is, why it matters in GIS, and how scale affects the way we view and interpret maps.

✅ Success Criteria

I can define coordinate systems and scale in my own words and give one example of how each impacts a GIS project.

🌍 Why Are We Learning This?

Without a consistent coordinate system, map layers won’t align correctly. Without the right scale, important details can be hidden or exaggerated. GIS professionals use both to ensure maps are accurate and usable.

🧠 Warm-Up – Tech Journal Prompt (5 min)

💡 Prompt:

If you were giving someone directions to a very specific location, how exact would you need to be? How could “too zoomed in” or “too zoomed out” affect them?

📚 Word(s) of the Day

Coordinate System

• Definition: A framework for identifying the location of features on the Earth’s surface.
• Used in a sentence: “Using the wrong coordinate system can cause a map’s data layers to shift out of place.”
• Why it matters: Ensures all data lines up correctly.

Scale