Official Science Olympiad Sites

Science Olympiad
Illinois Science Olympiad
Road Scholar Event info
2012 Rules for Road Scholar Event

USGS Topographic Maps

USGS Online Map Store - download free topographic maps in GeoPDF format or purchase paper topographic maps.
Using the USGS Online Map Store - instructions for downloading or purchasing topographic maps
Status and Availability of USGS Quadrangle Maps
Topographic Map Symbols (USGS) — download the USGS topographic map symbol sheet
Topographic Maps (USGS) - Map Locator — download free topographic maps in GeoPDF format
IL State Geological Survey Sales - purchase paper Illinois topographic maps
Using GeoPDF Topographic Maps with Adobe Reader

Sample USGS Topographic Maps

Calumet City US Topo - current topographic map, vector format (18mb)
Hinsdale Digital Map—Beta - current beta version vector topographic map (19mb)
Calumet City 1998 - historical topo map, scan of most recent lithographic printed map (15mb)
Calumet City 1929 - historical topo map, scanned paper mpa, geopdf format (12mb)

Learning Tools

Road Scholar Event Information — Jane Domier (PowerPoint fille)
Reading Topgraphic Maps — Mark Van Hecke
Road Scholar Study Guide — Terry Trippe
      Course Outline
      Contest Preparation
      Competition Study Guide
      Competition Study Guide Answers

How to Read Illinois Topographic Maps
Intro to Topographic Maps (Tasa)
What Do Maps Show (USGS)

Introduction to Topographic Maps — Geospatial Training and Analysis Cooperative
This tutorial has sections on Map Scale, Projections, Grid Systems (UTM, State Plane, Public Land Survey), Vertical Scale, Profiles, Calculating Slope, Compass and Magnetic Declination, Bearings, and related exercises.

Latitude and Longitude of a Point — find lat and long using Google maps
Degrees/Minutes/Seconds to/from Decimal Latitude/Longitude — conversion tool

ArcGIS Explorer — free downloadable GIS viewer for further exploration of geographic information

Geocaching — the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

Sample Exam

2008 Illinois State Competition Exam       blanks       answers

Questions or comments: contact Jane Domier

Updated 03/06/2012 JED