Contest Winners
Meet our Grand Prize Winner: Darel Shelton of St. Louis, Missouri
First Prize Winner #1 - Edward R Sharpe of Oxford, Mississippi
"Why I Love Maps That Stretch the Mind"
When I was teaching, I always kept an inverted globe on my desk. Students would ask why my globe was upside down. My reply was, “How does one turn a ball upside down. What if in throwing a basketball you had to keep the lettering up ?” That got their attention. For the same reason I love the ‘South Up’ maps. I wish there were such globes.
Another favorite technique is to post an array of maps in chronological order. For example place first a European map from 1900-1914. Adjacent to it place a European map from 1919-1932. Now what happened ? They are quite different. What happened to Austria-Hungary ? Where did Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia come from ? A history lesson is here in these two maps. Next place a 1940-1944 European map. Oh my goodness ! Look at Germany! Now how in the world did that happen ? A lot of history is there—just in those maps. Next to it place a 1947-1990 European map. Who squeezed Germany ? Who moved Poland to the West ? And finally place next a current European map. What happened to Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia ? Where in the world did Croatia come from ? This process not only amazes the students, it amazes me!
The same technique may be used in most places of the world. One only needs the proper time line. It certainly may be applied to American history.
Ancient history also lends itself to the same process. I like the T-O maps. It is incredible to see Jerusalem at the center of the world with East at the top, Europe on the left and Africa on the right. The same applies to maps created during the Roman Empire. How did Ptolemy know so much.
In the field of meteorology fascinating maps predict our weather. Here in tornado alley one finds it useful to follow the changing maps. Is that linear storm behind that front coming our way ? How are my friends in Minnesota doing ? Look at that Atlantic hurricane! Where is it going ?
As the majority of world maps are Europe or Atlantic centered, a Pacific centered map is a breath of fresh air. It relates us to Asia—the source of so much of our modern trade. And now Europe looks so far away. And this brings us back where we started. If the Pacific centered map is turned around South-up we have ‘Down Under’ on top. Australia rules. It has come into its own.
First Prize Winner #2: Nathaniel Ross & Jose Gonzales (video collaboration)
And thanks to all the others who made submissions!
We also want to acknowledge the hard work of all the submissions
entered by Margaret Noble & Rachel Nichols 12th grade class at High Tech High in San Diego, California.
May you all continue to discover more maps that stretch minds!
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