Introduction to GPS & Geocaching Jim Clark Instructional Technology Department Wichita Public Schools

Navigating in the Past

What is GPS? It is a system of 24 satellites that are used in conjunction with a receiver unit and a control station to allow for very accurate determination of location

Space Segment Satellite ConstellationGPS Satellite

Ground Segment Basic GPS Unit

Garmin eTrex GPS Receiver Very inexpensive Very durable Great for basic instruction in use of GPS Stores waypoints and routes

The front of the eTrex

The Back of the eTrex

Important Pages Skyview PageMenu PageWaypoints PageWaypoint Review PageCompass Page

What is Geocaching? High tech treasure hunt that uses global positioning system (GPS) receiver to hide and seek containers (caches) anywhere in the world

Geocaching Go to Create account Under Search for caches… enter the latitude and longitude for location

Geocaches near Us

Geocaches near us

Downloading Geocaches Check in check box Click on Download Waypoints

To Manage the Geocaches Download and install EasyGPS ( Launch EasyGPS and select file you downloaded You may then upload or download geocache waypoints from your receiver

EasyGPS

GPS Visualizer

Geocaches Waterproof container Contains “swag”, stash note, pencil/pen, and log book You should add to the swag if you take swag Congratulations, you found it! If you found this cache by accident please don’t remove it, this is a Geocaching treasure box! Join us in the fun of using GPS to find hidden treasures worldwide at Please let us know if you would like us to remove this geocache. Name: Date: Waypoint: Owner:

Example Classroom Standards Third Grade –Math Numeracy Geometry and Measurement Data Analysis and Probability –Science –Geography –Technology

Uses in Education Use Travel Bugs to track an items movement from place to place, including any stories that are picked up along the wayTravel Bugstrack Create a multi-cache that includes information about the local history of an area. Create a multi-cache that explores cultural connections of the local area. Create a cache that explores issues in environmental education. (The Evil Green Menace!)The Evil Green Menace! Create a cache that explores health issues. (Heart to Heart)Heart to Heart

Uses in Education Create caches that explore numeracy. Participate in projects that help students collaborate with others around the world. Participate in a "Cache In, Trash Out" environmental education day. Create a geocaching club at school. Use virtual caches to avoid planting too many caches for your students. (Get students to keep a log book and answer questions about locations they have visited.) Survey school grounds with GPS units Create caches exploring sculptures Create historical geocaches Create foreign language geocaches

Future iPhone location (indoors and out) –Cell: 500 meters –Wi-Fi (Skyhook wireless): 30 meters –GPS: 10 meters

Jim Clark Instructional Technology Department Wichita Public Schools