Can You Dig It?
Geocaching, Google Earth, and GPS in the Classroom
Midway ISD Instructional Technology What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is an entertaining outdoor adventure activity for GPS users
GPS = Global Positioning System
“Cache” is pronounced like “cash”
The basic idea is to set up caches (hidden prizes) all over the world and share the locations (Latitude & Longitude) of these caches on the internet What is Geocaching?
GPS users use the coordinates to find caches
Once found, the geocacher may:
Take something from the cache
Leave a small trinket for the next geocacher
Sign the logbook
Return the cache to the same location where it was found
The “find” is logged into the website where statistics about found and hidden caches are maintained. www.geocaching.com
More on Geocaching…
A geocache is placed at an interesting location, usually in the woods but there are “urban” caches which can be fun as well!
The geocache is hidden from view but it is NEVER buried. Avoid Hiding Caches…
National Parks Historical Sites Military Bases Railroad Tracks Highways, dams, etc. School property without permission
What are the Rules?
ALL geocaches in the world should follow these simple rules:
Do not bury No food No weapons No drugs or alcohol No adult materials No solicitations GPS Video – Teacher Tube
Dr. Alice Christie What is a GPS?
A Global Positioning System unit is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within 6-20 feet) almost anywhere on the planet
A GPS uses a system of 27 satellites (24 active, 3 reserve) to calculate your position
The GPS receiver can “see” at most 12 of the 24 satellites at any one time
What is a GPS?
Since the GPS unit “knows” your position and tracks time, it can calculate distance, speed, direction, and even your elevation.
You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location.
Don’t worry though, a GPS unit doesn’t send signals, it only receives them. So no one can track your location! Geo-Lingo
Waypoint – saved point of interest Muggle – people around a geocache who are not geocaching! FTF – First to Find DNF – Did Not Find Travel Bug – A process of tagging photos or other items with GPS coordinates CITO - Cache In Trash Out is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community
Latitude and Longitude
Challenge www.gpsmaze.com/kids_challenge.html
Reading the Coordinates . Full Address – Degrees, Minutes, Seconds . N – go north if # increases & south if # decreases . W – go west if # increases & east if # decreases Coordinate Practice
Which direction do you need to travel?
Current Position: Desired Position: 32°46.143 N 32°46.197 N 97°04.816 W 97°04.749 W
Coordinate Practice
Which direction do you need to travel?
Current Position: Desired Position: 32°46.583 N 32°46.107 N 97°04.816 W 97°05.025 W
Geocaching.com
Create membership & log in Click Hide and Seek a Cache Search for a cache Plug in GPS to computer Click green arrow to right of cache to be downloaded to GPS
Go to Find – Waypoints to make sure waypoint downloaded correctly
GPS Activity – FIELDTRIP! Help! I Think I’m Lost!
If you get lost or feel like you are going in circles – don’t panic! The GPS unit will only get you within 15-20 feet of your cache – then you have to use your eyes and treasure hunting skills!
Travel Bugs
Hitchhikers are any items that are moved from cache to cache
Travel Bugs are metal tags with unique tracking numbers for lookup at Geocaching.com
Travel Bugs are usually attached to a hitchhiker and the online log provides information about where the owner wants the travel bug to go
Finders move the hitchhiker and bug to new locations and log the new location on the website How to get a Travel Bug
Geocaching.com – Trackable Items Travel Bugs – Order Travel Bug (Start at $4.25) Once received, activate the travel bug at geocaching.com
Activating a Travel Bug
Trackable Items http://www.geocaching.com/track/ Travel Bug Home – Activate Your Travel Bug Enter Tracking Number and Activation Code
Travel Bug Lookup Place Travel Bug in a Cache
Create a Cache Complete the Online Form http://www.geocaching.com/hide/report .aspx Once you have reported your new cache listing, revisit the listing's page and click on the link to post a new log. Write a note for your cache listing and select the Travel Bug you wish to drop off in your cache.
How Does GPS Technology Fit into the Curriculum?
Latitude & Longitude Compasses and directions Geography – Landforms, maps and map skills History – Solve mysteries, historical places/people Math – Decimals, grids, ordered pairs of numbers, addition, subtraction, estimating, time, distance, measurement Earth Science – rocks, plants, environmental features Language Arts – writing in logs, written descriptions of events, descriptive writing, poetry Technology – GPS device, digital camera, presentation software, audio recorders Reading – Informational reading of logs, directions, and clues Problem Solving, Teamwork, Perseverance, Cooperation Classroom Integration with GPS
Activities the high school has done:
Amazing Race Sentence Diagramming w/Chalk GPS in the Gym Review Game Statistics Creating a GPS Lesson
Dr. Christie's GPS and Geocaching Guide for Educators
References
Educause Learning Initiative. (October 2006). 7 Things You Should Know About Google Earth. Retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://connect.educause.edu/library/abstract/7ThingsYouShouldKnow/39396
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). (2007). The Guide to Geographic Information Systems. Retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://www.gis.com/
Geological Society of America. (2006). Earthcache Sites. Retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://www.earthcache.org/
Global Positioning System (GPS). (2007). Retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=210521
Kerski, Joseph J. (2006). Isn’t That Spatial Exploring the World in 3D with Google Earth. Retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://education.usgs.gov/common/lessons/google_earth_in_education.pdf
Smithsonian: National Air and Space Museum. (1998). GPS: A New Constellation. Retrieved December 1, 2007, from http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gps/