Goals for Today
Know:
Introductions
Geocaching Basics
Know:
- What is longitude and latitude? How do they relate to geocaching?
- What is GPS and how was it developed?
- What is geocaching and how do I find and log a geocache?
- GPS is a technology that has the power to motivate students and help them make connections to geography.
- Geocaching is great way to get kids outside and engage them in a healthy, outdoor activity.
- Subject area topics can be applied to geocaching activities. The best activities push students to higher levels of thinking and require students to synthesize and create.
- Navigate the Geocaching.com site in order to locate and log caches.
- Travel to a geocaching location and find a cache.
- Log a cache that has been found.
- Consider a geocaching task for students that will drive a lesson.
Introductions
- I am and I would like to visit....
- One thing I hope to learn today...
Geocaching Basics
- What is GPS?
- It's all about latitude and longitude
- Tools you will need
- What's a cache?
- Travel Bugs and Geocoins - Oliver K. Woodman - Travel Bug Project
- There is Etiquette
- And Terminology
- Geocaching Videos
Geocaching Website
- Official Geocaching Website
- Create an Account
- Scavenger Hunt
GPS Devices
- Garmin eTrex (directions for our device)
- Guide to Buying a GPS Device - Try asking for donations (WalMart, Best Buy, etc.)
- Geocaching Apps for iDevices, Android and Windows (limited free version)
- iPad and iPhone Full Geocaching Version - ($9.99)
- Easy GPS (Free version allows you to see your coordinates, waypointing and compass are a cost)
- There are many others - just do a search.
Teaching Latitude and Longitude
Crack the Code - Change this to an inquiry by giving students the coordinates and having them figure out what they are and
how to use them.
Google Earth
Google Maps
iTouch Map - put in an address and get the coordinates
Degree Confluence Project
What are good questions your students might ask about geographic location?
Latitude Shoes (Part of the Mystery Class Project)
Latitude Shoes Gallery
Lichen and Air Pollution - Google Earth kmz
How Far Is It?
What Direction Is It?
An important geocaching skill - knowing which direction you are going.
Get Lost Compass Game
What does playing this game tell you about how to use a compass?
Directional Treasure Map - Can you use a compass?
Coordinate Battleship
Crack the Code - Change this to an inquiry by giving students the coordinates and having them figure out what they are and
how to use them.
Google Earth
Google Maps
iTouch Map - put in an address and get the coordinates
Degree Confluence Project
What are good questions your students might ask about geographic location?
Latitude Shoes (Part of the Mystery Class Project)
Latitude Shoes Gallery
Lichen and Air Pollution - Google Earth kmz
How Far Is It?
- Latitude and Longitude Distance Calculator
- Challenge Cards
- Challenge 1 - What is the relationship between degrees and distance?
- Challenge 2 - When you geocache here in Columbia, about far is a degree, minute, second?
What Direction Is It?
An important geocaching skill - knowing which direction you are going.
Get Lost Compass Game
What does playing this game tell you about how to use a compass?
Directional Treasure Map - Can you use a compass?
Coordinate Battleship
Geocaching in the Classroom
Lesson Ideas
Use the Scaffolding - Not All Lessons are Created Equal to compare 2 lessons:
National Park GPS / Geocaching Lesson
Geo-Literacy - Using Technology to Forge New Ground
Web Tools Smash Up
Geocaching Toolbox
What tools can add to your geocaching experience?
Other GPS Adventures
Wherigo - Combination of game and geocaching
GPS Games
TerraClues - Google Maps Scavenger Hunts
- Math Treasure Box - Math Pirate Cards
- Plant a travel bug and use map skills to chart its progress
- Geocache in your school yard to learn latitude, longitude and compass directions
- Students find locations for caches where they live. Why should they be placed there? Focus on tourism, economic development, etc.
- Students create Earth Caches for geographic locations in their area
Lesson Ideas
Use the Scaffolding - Not All Lessons are Created Equal to compare 2 lessons:
National Park GPS / Geocaching Lesson
Geo-Literacy - Using Technology to Forge New Ground
Web Tools Smash Up
Geocaching Toolbox
What tools can add to your geocaching experience?
Other GPS Adventures
Wherigo - Combination of game and geocaching
GPS Games
TerraClues - Google Maps Scavenger Hunts