Slide 1: Geocaching: Teaching and Learning Outside the Box + = Fun!
What is Geocaching? : What is Geocaching? Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.
From Geocaching.com
Slide 3: Thanks to a generous grant of program support from the CCBC Foundation, we were able to purchase twelve handheld GPS units last fall. These have been distributed across the three main campuses for use by faculty, students, and staff. GPS
Technology
Slide 4: Search for nearby caches
Discussion forums
Online player profiles
Basic memberships are free
GPS reviews
Software and app downloads
Online resources for cachers and educators
Shop for geocaching gear Geocaching
Website
Slide 5: Page launched fall 2010
Currently 43 members
Includes mail, news, events, photos, and links
Public group
Fewer meetings, more caching
For those without Facebook, join e-mail distribution list by sending request to mgarcia@ccbcmd.edu CCBC
Geocachers
Facebook
Group
Slide 6: During fall 2010, I made geocaching presentations on all three campuses. At the Catonsville campus, I led Prof. Scott Jeffrey, the chair of the Geospatial Applications program, and his students on a geocache hunt. Bringing
Geocaching
to
CCBC
Students
Ideas for Geocaching and GPS Activities for the Classroom : Ideas for Geocaching and GPS Activities for the Classroom Physical Geography – Students must locate and note the coordinates of a variety of geographic features in their neighborhoods.
History – Students will be given the coordinates to a series of historical sites which they must visit to learn particular facts which they must report back to the class.
Mathematics – Students must solve math problems in order to find missing digits from the latitude and longitude of a cache hidden by the instructor.
Sociology/Psychology – Students can engage in participant-observer field research as they note the reactions of non-cachers who “stumble upon” a geocache hunt.
Physical Education – Students must log caches of varying levels of difficulty during the course of the semester, up to and including level 5 terrain caches which require considerable physical stamina and/or special equipment to complete.
Academic Development – Create a campus multi-cache, requiring students to visit buildings and offices around the college, collecting information that will help them solve a final puzzle in order to claim the cache.
Resources and Links : Resources and Links Websites:
CCBC Geospatial Applications Program
GPS and Geocaching in Education
Dr. Christie’s GPS and Geocaching Guide for Educators
GPS Lesson Plans
Books:
Lo, Burt. GPS and Geocaching in Education. Washington, D.C.: ISTE, 2010.
Peters, Jack. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geocaching. Indianapolis: Alpha, 2004
Taylor, J. Kevin. Geocaching for Schools and Communities. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2010.
Films/Videos:
What is Geocaching? Groundspeak, Inc. 2009. (YouTube video)
Adventures in Geocaching. Dir. Nora Donaghy. 2006. (documentary)
Splinterheads. Dir. Brant Sersen. 2009 (romantic comedy)
Trackers. Dir. Brian Brough. 2007 (thriller)
Slide 9: CacheSKing on the trail with Mary Jo Garcia and Christina Brown. Cachers join us at the Bread and Cheese Creek Cleanup: sfcchaz, MrMallethead, Mary Jo Garcia, suzanne, and wizardofmd69. Mr. Mallethead mentors cachers at Ft. Holabird Park. Community Cachers
Lend Support to CCBC
Slide 10: Upper left: Ft. Howard Park. Lower left: St. Thomas’ Church in Hancock. Right: Gunpowder Falls State Park. Caching Across
Scenic Maryland
Slide 11: Upper left: behind a strip club off Pulaski Highway Lower left: Baltimore Harbor in CantonRight: The fence separating Gunpowder Falls State Park from Aberdeen Proving Grounds chemical waste disposal area Caching across
not-so-scenic
Maryland
Slide 12: CCBC Cachers on the hunt
Caching at your Campus : Caching at your Campus If you’d like to learn more about geocaching, using GPS technology, or if you’d like your students to, contact the CCBC Geocachers faculty advisor nearest you: Catonsville Scott Jeffrey
sjeffrey@ccbcmd.edu
x5936 Dundalk Mary Jo Garcia
mgarcia@ccbcmd.edu
x3283 EssexJaime Alvarez
jalvarez@ccbcmd.edu
x1315 Essex
Stephanie Younkins
syounkins@ccbcmd.edu
x1196 Want to try finding a cache on your own? Visit Geocaching.com for the coordinates to the following caches located on or near CCBC campuses:
Dundalk – Succession Garden, GC2HXN5
Essex – Not Playing with a Full Deck, GC2GR48
Catonsville –Higher Education, GC1KB5Q