Cargo Shipping

Goals:

To work effectively in groups to achieve a common goal: Create the most efficient cargo shipping route.

To successfully identify and locate port cities using latitude and longitude.

To use the formula r=d/t (rate equals distance divided by time) to find distance or time.

To use problem solving skills to create an efficient schedule for shipping goods.

Content Areas:

Social Studies - use of geography, latitude and longitude

Math - r=d/t, solving for distance or time

Language Arts - map reading, writing an itinerary

Materials:

Maps of the world for each group

Informational sheet of port city, latitude, longitude, major export and import goods

CIA World Fact Book 1996

Tools for measuring distance: string, yardsticks, rulers

Procedure: (Suggested Time: 4 hours)

1) Students will divide up into their groups and begin to identify port cities using a list of port cities around the world selected by the teacher.

2) Once they have located all port cities successfully on the map, each group will be given a mission: ìStart at Port A with item x (export good). Travel to Port B, Port C, etc. Return to Port A with item z (import good).

3) Each group will be given a different mission, each containing a list of port cities with the group's desired import and export. The students MUST pass through every port on the list before returning to Port A.
 

Note: Every time one leaves a port, the cargo ship must be full. The objective is to accomplish this task as efficiently as possible.

4) In order to accomplish their mission, students must find distances to and from the port cities and the time needed to get there. Here students will apply the formula r=d/t. Unloading and loading times will be provided, speed of boat will be set.

5) Plot out the course on the map.

6) Take into consideration all information collected and create an itinerary for the ship's captain.

Assessment:

The Captain's itinerary will represent the work accomplished for teacher evaluation.Ý Criteria for success (on Captain's log):
 
Location of port cities in order from Port A

Correct use of longitude and latitude

Prime export and import good of each port city

Distance and time needed to reach each port city

The itinerary should be written in clear and concise language.
Ý

Although the objective is efficiency, criteria for success also requires correct distance and time using r=d/t formula, cooperation and sharing of work in the group with each member responsible for one of the following roles: The first person reads aloud the location of the port city. The second person marks that location on the map. The third person solves for the distance between port cities, and the fourth person solves for the time involved. All group members contribute their information to create the itinerary.

Extensions:

This subject matter could be used to relate to the economics of countries, the need for good relations among countries, colonization, etc.

 This page was submitted by St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program