Bonus Opportunities ‘08

Each bonus opportunity is worth a potential 10 points. Maximum number of bonus points = 20. All bonus opportunity material must be handed in by 30 May. I will add to this list as the term progresses.

Bonus opportunity 5: Evaluate a new text book

Borrow ‘Our Changing Planet: the view from space’ by MD. King et al., from me. Browse through the book and read one segment (about 5 pages). Write a paragraph on your opinion as to whether this would make a better text for this course.

Bonus Opportunity 1: Attend any Earth Day event

Attend any earth day event either on campus or in the wider community. Provide some sort of proof and write a paragraph about what you did or what you learnt.

Bonus Opportunity 2: Attend part of the Washington GIS conference

This is more to tell you about this opportunity … it’s not free but there is a student rate. If you are considering GIS in your future this would be very useful to attend. See http://www.waurisa.org

Bonus opportunity 3: Your heritage (only available if you have not done this before)

Using the Internet do a search for towns, rivers, lakes, mountains, that have the same last name as you. If you find nothing or wish to enlarge your search, look for streets or businesses with your name. You could investigate different versions of your name if you wish (eg Mills/ Mylls/ Miles or Carnack/ Karchnak). Compile a list of between eight and twelve places/businesses and show their location on either a world or a country map. Write a page, (1.5 spaced) that describes your findings. Consider the spatial distribution of the locations.

Bonus opportunity 4: Select a satellite

Select an earth observing satellite that is currently in space. In your own words, tell me which countries and agencies built the satellite, what remote sensing instruments it carries and give two applications of the data.