2007 MSC Inservice Training in Environmental Science Session 2 Prof. William Snyder, Environmental Science Geocaching as a Teaching Tool
What is Geocaching?
A geo-referenced treasure hunt using:
What is Geocaching? A geo-referenced treasure hunt using: a) GPS receivers
What is Geocaching? A geo-referenced treasure hunt using: a) GPS receivers b) internet databases
What is Geocaching? A geo-referenced treasure hunt using: a) GPS receivers b) internet databases Geocaching involves:
What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches
What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions
What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions c) using a GPS receiver and maps to find the cache
What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions c) using a GPS receiver and maps to find the cache d) signing the cached log and swapping treasures*
What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions c) using a GPS receiver and maps to find the cache d) signing the cached log and swapping treasures* e) logging your find on the Geocaching website
What are the rewards of Geocaching?
a) the TREASURE!!!
What are the rewards of Geocaching? a) the TREASURE!!! b) finding a deliberately hidden item
What are the rewards of Geocaching? a) the TREASURE!!! b) finding a deliberately hidden item c) solving a riddle
What are the rewards of Geocaching? a) the TREASURE!!! b) finding a deliberately hidden item c) solving a riddle d) finding unique areas and features which are easily overlooked
How can Geocaching be a teaching tool?
A. GPS skills
How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills
How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills
How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills D. Orienteering skills
How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills D. Orienteering skills E. Field skills
How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills D. Orienteering skills E. Field skills F. Intrinsic reward system
So what exactly are we looking for?
Types of Caches
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache D. Virtual Cache
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache D. Virtual Cache E. Earth Cache
So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache D. Virtual Cache E. Earth Cache F. Letter Boxing
Finding a Geocache
A. Getting started
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ 3. picking and finding a cachepicking and finding a cache
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ 3. picking and finding a cachepicking and finding a cache 4. seeking a cacheseeking a cache
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ 3. picking and finding a cachepicking and finding a cache 4. seeking a cacheseeking a cache 5. maintaining a “nearest cache” page“nearest cache”
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks”
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for 4. read previous finders’ logs (spoilers!)
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for 4. read previous finders’ logs (spoilers!) 5. rely on the “additional hints” clueadditional hints
Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for 4. read previous finders’ logs (spoilers!) 5. rely on the “additional hints” clueadditional hints 6. think like a hider
Hiding a Geocache
A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it?
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here?
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place? educational opportunities
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place? educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place? educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place? educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements example 1
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place? educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements example 1example 2
Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place? educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements example 1example 2 D. watching a cachecache
And one little reminder:
Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience!
And one little reminder: Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience! Be Prepared!
And one little reminder: Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience! Be Prepared! -- spare batteries -- topo map -- compass -- water -- bug spray
AND ALWAYS, PRACTICE