How to Navigate the Atlantic Ocean

As a result of this WebQuest you should:

1. Now have a historical perspective of navigation and know the concepts and limits of those navigational methods. 
2. Know how modern navigation works and the limits of todays technology. 
3. Be able to read maps and understand the rationale behind longitude and latitude.
4. Better understand the dynamic factors affecting ocean travel.
5. Be able to consider and account for multiple variables to achieve one goal.

Before you go consider:

Would the route be the same crossing the Atlantic from New York to Amsterdam? 

Would you be able to plot Ms. Dekker's complete route circumnavigating the globe?

If the activities in this WebQuest have only whetted your appetite, you may want to access the following resources.

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time, by Dava Sobel.  The full novel referenced in this WebQuest.

Maiden Voyage, by Tania Aebi.  Challenged by her German-Swiss father, an 18 year-old New York City bicycle messenger in 1988 became the first American woman, and the youngest person, to sail alone around the world.  In this jaunty account of her journey, she veers between the perils of solo sailing, her relationships with her separated parents, and the death of her mysterious mother.

Latitude: The Art and Science of Fifteenth-Century Navigation:  http://ruf.rice.edu/~feegi/

Spend some time pinpointing locations at: http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/imageg.htm

Laura Dekker was barred temporarily from begining her journey.  That was in August of 2009.  Find out the Court's final ruling here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/08/laura-dekker-has-to-wait-before-sailing-around-the-world-alone.html