Geographical Tools to Facilitate Class Activities with Project Wild Aquatic Timothy S. Hare Kentucky Center for Geospatial Education, Research, & Outreach Institute for Regional Analysis & Public Policy Morehead State University

Activity Outline (~45 minutes) What tools are available? How can one use the tools? Demonstration of several free online resources and tools. Demonstration & hands-on trial with GPS receivers

What can be done in the classroom?

Free Multimedia Ways to Explore… Static Web Sites Where Storms Are Worsening Global Warming Art World Atlas of Flooded Lands Interactive Climate Map US Wetlands Mapper Historical Hurricane Tracks World Google Earth National Geographic Map Machine

Google Earth Free Must be installed to computer Compatibility Windows Mac Details Interactive web mapping of the Earth & sky Very popular with kids Numerous educational materials available

Google Earth Resources Downloading Google Earth Google Earth User Guide Google Earth Outreach Google for Educators Google Earth Galleries Main Gallery Outreach Gallery Additional Resources User Forums Google Earth Blog Google Maps Mania

Google Earth Demonstration Main Interface Address locations Built-in modules Add-in modules

A way to enhance outdoor activities…

Introduction to Global Positioning Systems

The Global Positioning System 24 high- altitude satellites Built for the US Military Ongoing improvements

GPS Satellites > 24 at all times. 3 atomic clocks per satellite Built to be resistant to blocking & jamming Rockwell: 17 feet 1900 lbs

Ranging, why are 3 needed? GPS Satellite

4 needed for 3-D fix

Relative Timing Each satellite sends out the same sequence of signals Receivers calculate the shift between identical parts of the code Time difference

GPS Uses Mapping Natural Resource-based: Animal/plant locations Soil/water sampling locations Human-based: Air & sea navigation Emergency Services Locating Airplane landing systems Car-based direction services.

Why is the system not perfect? Error sources Atmospheric Multipath scatter Positional error Cheap GPS Units Limited satellite channels Poor internal processors

Obstructions

Bad Luck with Satellites

One solution to the Error – Differential GPS Use two receivers to eliminate much of the signal error Increases accuracy to a few centimeters with good units

GPS Hardware Options Consumer-grade Garmin III plus >3 meter accuracy eTrex Garmin V <3 meter accuracy 95% of the time WAAS GPSMAP 60Cx Survey-grade Trimble 5700

Other GPS Units Survey Grade Thales Promark2 Navigation WAAS <3 m Post-processing <1 cm Kinematic ~1 cm

GPS Activity Learn how to navigate with GPS Collect some locations with GPS

How do you use the GPS to record a location? Quick & Dirty Record the coordinates on the GPS unit’s screen Sophisticated Press ENTER/MARK button to record your location. Use the ROCKER button to specify information about the point Select “OK” and press the ENTER

How do you use the GPS unit to navigate? Quick & Dirty Try to match the coordinates on the GPS unit with the coordinates on the handout. Sophisticated Use navigation tools on the GPS unit. Enter location coordinates as a new waypoint on the GPS Map Page. Use the GOTO button to set the waypoint for navigation.

Using the GPS Unit’s Navigational Tools Manually Create a New Waypoint: Change the screen to the Map Page. Use the ROCKER button to move the pointer to the desired location on the map. Press the ENTER/MARK button to create the new waypoint. Use the ROCKER button to edit the name or additional information about the new waypoint. Use the ROCKER button to select the ‘OK’ button and press ENTER to save the waypoint. Navigating to a Prerecorded Waypoint: Press the GOTO button. Use the ROCKER button to scroll through the list to either the named location you created or ‘Waypoint’ and press the ENTER button. Use the ROCKER button to scroll through the list to the desired waypoint and press the ENTER button to select the waypoint. Use the Pointer Page to determine which direction to go.

WARNINGS REMEMBER – GPS units only show the correct direction after the unit is in motion. Look where you are going, not just at the GPS unit.

What else can be done with GPS Collect locations of important things: Animal & plant species Data collection locations Places to which one needs to return Transfer locations in GPS to computer View locations in Google Earth or other free mapping programs

How do these tools fit into Project Wild Aquatic? As classroom demonstrations As supplements for prepared activities As stand-alone activities To support class & individual student projects

As stand-alone activities Targeting content standards Environment & wetlands Social Studies Math Geography Economics History

Benefits Free Easy to use Hands-on activities Depth of knowledge & understanding Gee-Whiz affect for students

Thank You Timothy S. Hare Kentucky Center for Geospatial Education, Research, & Outreach IRAPP, Morehead State University 100D Lloyd Cassity Building

Kentucky Center for Geospatial Education, Research, and Outreach Expand the use of geospatial technologies at MSU Improve students’ technical & analytical abilities Support faculty & staff use of geospatial technologies Contribute to the development of potential business opportunities in our region.

Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy (IRAPP) Center of Excellence, MSU A Kentucky Program of Distinction