Mobile International Festival

of 8 Mobile International Festival GEOCACHING An Active Teaching Opportunity

This guide is a compilation of resource information from many different sources as noted with the links provided.

For assistance with Mobile and area Geocaching contact David Copeland at [email protected]

To download a copy go to: http://www.mobileinternationalfestival.org/education.html

FIND THIS LOGO and you will find the geocache! Page 2 of 8 2016 Amazing facts – from Geocaching.com: 1,000,000 reasons for Americans to get off the couch and explore their neighborhoods are waiting to be discovered and some are likely within walking distance. Geocaching.com launched in 2000, listing just 75 hidden geocaches. There is over 1.4 million geocaches active is the US.

 Nearly 11 million people have registered for accounts on Geocaching.com since 2000.

 Geocaches can be found in all 50 US states

 California holds the record for the state with the most active geocaches,

 Germany is second to the U.S.

 There are currently 2.5 million active geocaches hidden around the world

 In 2013 alone geocaches were found 75,453,001 times. Skills involved (Christie, 2007), students will learn to:

 Communicate using a variety of media and formats  Access and exchange information in a variety of ways  Compile, organize, analyze, and synthesize information  Draw conclusions and make generalizations based on information gathered  Know content and be able to locate additional information as needed  Become self-directed learners  Collaborate and cooperate in team efforts

There is a world of resources (see end of document) or begin with: http://www.geocaching.com/education/ To get started here are some basics and the information on the Mobile International Festival Geocaching Activities. SOME DEFINITIONS:

“Geocaching” noun “the recreational (educational) activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website.”

“GPS” - “GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is a radio navigation system that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine their exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions, anywhere in the world. The capabilities of today’s system render other well-known navigation and positioning “technologies”—namely the magnetic compass, the sextant, the chronometer, and radio- based devices—impractical and obsolete. GPS is used to support a broad range of military, commercial, and consumer applications.” http://www.gis2gps.com/ This system is based on 24 satellites that are in orbit at 10,600 miles above the earth. The satellites are spaced so that from any point on earth, four satellites will be above the horizon. Signals from the satellites provide the receivers with a geographic position - longitude and latitude whose accuracy is usually within a few meters. What is a geocache? A geocache is a container that participants navigate to through a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location (Geocaching 101, http://www.geocaching.com/guide/ ). Page 3 of 8 There are many different types of geocache’s and activities that one can envision being associated with them. For example: (http://www.geocaching.com/guide/ )

 Traditional Geocache - This is the original type of geocache and the most straightforward. These geocaches will be a container with something in it at the given coordinates.

 Mystery or Puzzle Caches - The "catch-all" of geocache types, this type may involve complicated puzzles that you will first need to solve to determine the final or end point coordinates.

 Multi-Cache (Offset Cache) - These geocaches involve two or more locations, with the final location being a physical container with a logbook inside. There are many variations, but typically once you’re at the first stage, you will receive a clue to the whereabouts of the second stage. The second stage will have a clue for the third, and so on.

 EarthCache - An EarthCache is a special geological location people can visit to learn about a unique feature of the Earth. EarthCache pages include a set of educational notes along with coordinates. Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage its resources and how scientists gather evidence. Typically, to log an EarthCache, you will have to provide answers to questions by observing the geological location. For more information about EarthCaches visit http://www.earthcache.org/.

 Geotours - Explore unique destinations in a new way with official Geocaching.com GeoTours. These custom tours showcase engaging geocaches designed to introduce you to new locations. Choose a GeoTour below, pack your bags, and begin a new adventure! http://www.geocaching.com/adventures/geotours

 And much more: http://www.geocaching.com/guide/ Need to do this indoors? Unfortunately the GPS signals do not penetrate buildings very well and especially large older structures like the Civic Center so we have developed an activity that in essence addresses the skills outlined above as part of this activity. What are the skills?

1. A basic understanding of location and how to navigate from one point to another

2. This activity takes the students to each of the continents and areas of the world, they should become aware of the countries where each geocache is located.

3. With the final answer they should be encouraged in class to find out where the answer takes them.

http://www.earthcache.org/ “The Geological Society of America welcomes you to the EarthCacheTM program. Here you will find the EarthCache guidelines, information and lots of other fun items! Use the navigation bars above to find out information on our activities and to read the latest submission guidelines.“

“EarthCaches take geocachers to a special geological location. You might discover a giant boulder left by a glacier thousands of years ago or stumble upon seams in the earth carved by the Earth’s tectonic plates. There’s no physical container to find with an EarthCache. Questions about the geological site are posed on the EarthCache’s page. You discover the answers, email the owners of the geocache with those answers, log a Found it, write a fun log of your experience and you’re off to your next EarthCache!” Page 4 of 8 More about earth cache at: http://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=292 “An EarthCache provides an Earth Science lesson through a visit to a unique geological site, and generally focuses on one aspect of the site. The description and tasks combine to teach the lesson and highlight what is unique or interesting about the location. The text should provide accurate, clear explanations of what visitors will experience at the site. The geocache page content should assume no prior knowledge of Geology, and be written at age 14 reading level. The logging tasks must relate to the specific geological lesson. Common features such as rivers, mountains, meanders, streams will likely not be accepted unless the geocache page content indicates what is unique about that particular location, and provides an appropriate lesson.”

“Acceptable Sciences - EarthCaches focus on the solid earth and the processes that shape it.  Geological materials - Rocks, minerals, fossils, sands, soils, etc.  Geological processes - erosion, weathering, deposition, volcanic activity, glacial action, etc.  Geological land form evolution - glacial valleys, reverse topography due to rock properties, waterfalls with geological explanations, use of geological materials - building stones, etc.  Geological phenomena (not included above) - impact craters, geysers, mineral springs, etc.  Tools used by geologists - index fossils, rocks, historical geology sites.”

There are over 100 earth caches in Alabama alone! Find out more at: http://rock.geosociety.org/earthcache/earthcache.aspx or download the Earchcache Guide for Teachers

FINDING OUT WHAT THE MIF GEOCACHING ACTIVITY ANSWER MEANS: With the answer the students find at the Festival they will be able to then go to either of these links and see where it takes them: https://maps.google.com/ - here when entering the code the map will show two points: A green marker showing the GPS position and an address marker in red. (see example map on next page) http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocode leaving the BING search option in place and using the google aerial view for the map type (see example maps on next page)

Explore why the code used might show different locations using Google search, Bing Search, etc.

Try changing one number in the code and what happens? Why? Try it on different search engines and see what happens, why is there a difference? What is the difference?

This is an opportunity to discuss the reliance on technology and the results, much depends on the accuracy of the systems, instruments and data provided. Putting in coordinates can result in very different results if there is a typo or if the system is not accurate. Similarly looking at the maps and aerial views will show the differences in age of the aerial maps used by one link or another.

TEACHERS EXERCISE, TRY THIS EXAMPLE: Page 5 of 8 See if you can find - N30 41.349 W88 02.989 What lives in the water and is used as an art object of about 3.5 feet tall and is part of an art trail in Mobile? There are quite a few of this in Mobile, start here but you will need to find the GPS coordinates: http://masgc.org/oyster/TheOysterTrailDowntownMobile.htm

Explore the use of different resources to see what they come up with, discuss reliance by your students on the information they get when using web based information, GPS coordinates, etc. Accuracy can change based on periods, commas, numbers, etc. just one small error can make a difference. For more ideas on finding GPS coordinates here are some Mobile GIS links: http://maps.cityofmobile.org/GIS/Default.aspx http://maps.cityofmobile.org/GIS/webmapping.aspx

Listen to Podcast of Geocaching in Mississippi on August 30th, 2013 http://mpbonline.org/nextstop/NSM083013/

Some other examples of geocaching activities:

 The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Pensacola and Escambia County have partnered together to offer an Environmental Geocache Tour featuring 12 local environmental sites. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest/geocaching/ecotour.htm  With the RiverWalk GeoTour, there are even more reasons to bring the family and hike along the Chattahoochee RiverWalk; check out the longest urban whitewater course as well. Hiking, biking, and now kayaking! http://visitcolumbusga.com/visitors/riverwalk_geotour

 Explore unique destinations in a new way with official Geocaching.com GeoTours. These custom tours showcase engaging geocaches designed to introduce you to new locations. Choose a GeoTour below, pack your bags, and begin a new adventure! http://www.geocaching.com/adventures/geotours

Example map of all the geochaches in the Mobile area:

Go to http://www.geocaching.com/ and enter your zip code and you will find a world of geocaches! Page 6 of 8

Two resources to find GPS coordinates for specific locations:

http://www.gps-coordinates.net http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html

GEOCACHING TEACHER RESOURCES:

 http://www.geocaching.com/ - Here you can find the rules, the maps and much more more! “Geocaching is the real-world treasure hunt that's happening right now, all around you. There are 2,246,346 active geocaches and over 6 million geocachers worldwide.” Their education resources are very comprehensive as well: http://www.geocaching.com/education/

 http://www.gis2gps.com/GPS/gps.html Using GPS and Geocaching in the core curriculum has become a powerful tool in enhancing student understanding of geography, scientific inquiry, math concepts, physical education, problem solving, and language arts. Students in this picture are mapping a local park. It was an easy 5 minute walk to the park. The teacher planned out waypoints for the student to log as part of a larger introduction to how GPS units work.

 http://www.evalamar.com/GPS/GPS-activities.htm Lesson plans using GPS

 http://www.eduscapes.com/geocaching/kids.htm Geocaching is a great activity for all ages. Whether parents want to explore nature with their children or teachers want to activate the learning environment with hands-on experiences, there's a geocache adventure that's right for you.

 Mobile GIS information resources: http://maps.cityofmobile.org/GIS/webmapping.aspx http://maps.cityofmobile.org/myplace/myplace.html (Mobile My PLACE)

 http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/10/20/01gps.h04.html How to Use GPS in Your Class For example: “History - Use GPS to explore historic sites, such as battlefields, settlements, or cemeteries. Include information about what took place at the locations to draw a connection between the places students are seeing and the historic events that happened there.” “Geology Use GPS units to guide students to specific locations where they can observe the geologic features on the school's campus. Ask students to describe these features and hypothesize about how they were formed.” “Science Use GPS and GIS to plot specific points on a river or stream close to the school. Have students measure water quality at those points and ask them to research explanations for the differences in water quality in one area and another.”

 http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer ArcGIS Explorer Desktop is a free GIS viewer that gives you an easy way to explore, visualize, and share GIS information. ArcGIS Explorer adds value to any GIS because it helps you deliver your authoritative data to a broad audience. With ArcGIS Explorer, you can

 Access ready-to-use ArcGIS Online basemaps and layers.  Fuse your local data with map services to create custom maps.  Add photos, reports, videos, and other information to your maps.  Perform spatial analysis (e.g., visibility, modeling, proximity search Page 7 of 8

 http://alicechristie.org/geocaching/ MANY RESOURCES “The challenge for teachers, is to use technology effectively in classrooms to help students take ownership for learning and develop the practical and critical thinking skills necessary to better understand the world around them”  Christie, Alice. 2007 Using GPS and Geocaching Engages, Empowers & Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Student. Meridian. Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2007 http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/win2007/gps/index.htm

MOBILE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL GEOCACHE SEARCH 2016 ALL answers must be correct to win! Instructions: To see what you win you must find the geocache answers, find ALL the answers and see what you win! X marks the general area where you will find each geocache – find the GEOCACHE LOGO and each answer. Location – ANSWER BOOTH NAME BEGINNING GEOCACHE MIF INFO TABLE ISRAEL IRAN PANAMA (Food) SENEGAL (Expo Hall) POLAND G.IRELAND ART Exhibit STORYTELLING NIGERIA COLOMBIA TAHITI GPS in A B C D E space F G J/K/L Decimal Degrees . space . Take home! Where/What is it? To find this go to: https://maps.google.com/ enter the code N##.###### W##.##### Page 8 of 8 Mobile International Festival Geocache Search Instructions:

 Each student should have a copy of the answer form downloaded from MIF website.

 Each student or team of students should then search for the logo

 Where the logo is found there will be a number or letter and number combination to enter on the answer form.

 When the search is completed return to the table that you started with all the numbers inserted, the students will find out if they have the correct sequence of information.

 The final table on the form with A through L lettering will then be completed with the answer.

 Back in the classroom look up the GEOCACHE answer and see what you find out about the answer.

 And don’t forget while they are visiting the cultural booth they should have the answers about everything from history to geography and culture for each country! Take advantage of the MIF Scavenger hunt. There is a set of questions available for ALL the cultural booths, students can get complete two activities together!

 To download a scavenger hunt, activity forms, etc. go to: http://www.mobileinternationalfestival.org/education.html

Questions about g eocaching? About the answers:? About MIF education activities?

Email: [email protected]