This resource supports standard 4 of the New York math, science and technology standards. Standard 4 states: students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. The major understandings being supported are 2.1q and 2.1r. Major understanding 2.1q states: Topographic maps represent landforms through the use of contour lines that are isolines connecting points of equal elevation. Gradients and profiles can be determined from changes in elevation over a given distance. Major understanding 2.1r states: Climate variations, structure, and characteristics of bedrock influence the development of landscape features including mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, ridges, escarpments, and stream drainage patterns.