Teaching students about great circle routes is an essential topic in geography to help students understand how airlines choose their flight routes and how they can navigate the world using the shortest distance possible. Great circle routes are the shortest distance between two points on a globe, which is different from the straight line distance on a flat map.

Teaching the concept of great circle routes can be a bit challenging, but with the right approach, educators can help make it easier for students to grasp. Here are some tips for teaching great circle routes to students.

Start by explaining the difference between a straight line and great circle.

The first step in teaching great circle routes is to differentiate it from the straight line found on most maps. You can do this by using visual aids such as a globe or a small ball to show the difference between a straight line and a curved one. The visual approach is always more engaging and easier to remember than a lecture-style explanation.

Show examples of great circle routes used by airlines.

Once students have a grasp of the difference between a straight line and a great circle route, it’s time to show some practical examples of how airlines use it. Use Google Earth to explore flight paths between two major cities like New York and Beijing. Here, you can show how the shortest distance from New York to Beijing passes over the North Pole, while the straight line on a flat map appears to be a more extended distance.

Introduce latitude and longitude.

Teaching great circle routes also requires students to understand the concept of latitude and longitude. You can explain this by using the analogy of a giant grid that covers the entire globe. Latitude lines run east-west, and longitude lines run north-south. Use a globe to highlight the lines of latitude and longitude and show students how they can be used to determine their location.

Engage students with interactive activities.

Engage your students with fun, interactive activities such as quizzes or games. You can use interactive quizzes that ask questions based on landmarks located on great circle routes, such as the Great Wall of China or the Amazon River. You can also use a board game where students navigate around the globe using great circle routes.