Contour Models

Introduction: Understand what map contours are. Make your own 3D model and then transcribe it into a 2D contour map. Enables the participant to begin to understand how maps; a birds eye 2 dimensional model, of the world are created from a 3 dimensional landscape. Contours are lines on a map which join areas of equal height. Contour interval refers to the difference in height between the lines, for example, on Ordnance Survey (OS) maps the contour interval is 10 metres in mountain areas and lowland areas are 5 metres. 

Instructions:

1. Draw a shape on the cardboard. Cut it out. Write number 1 on it.
2. Place your first shape on the cardboard and draw around it with a 1-2 cm margin, to create a slightly larger shape.
3. Cut that shape out and write number 2 on it.
4. Repeat 4-5 further times, for shapes up to 6 or 7.
5. For your 2D Map of the Mountain – Take your largest shape and draw around it on a piece of clean paper and place the next piece inside the lines and repeat with drawing around all the pieces to create a contour map of the mountain.
6. For your 3D Mountain – Stack all the pieces together in number order with the highest number on the bottom and shape number 1 on the top.

   Notes: Be careful using the scissors to cut out the cardboard
   Mapping information is available at https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ and
   https://www.harveymaps.co.uk/