Geocaching in the Classroom: A Fun Way to Take Learning Outdoors! : Geocaching in the Classroom: A Fun Way to Take Learning Outdoors! Kathy Druesedow
Tuloso Midway ISD
Corpus Christi, TX
Pamela Lee
Sinton ISD
Sinton, TX
kdruesedow@tmisd.esc2.net
plee@sintonisd.net
Preview : Preview What is Geocaching?
Where are the Geocaches?
What's a GPS, and how does it work?
Let’s go geocaching in the classroom!
What is Geocaching? : What is Geocaching? Using a “high-tech” treasure hunting game, students use Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to find treasures hidden in their environments/community.
A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within 6-20 feet) almost anywhere on the planet. The Groundspeak Geocaching Logo is a trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. Designed By: Michael A. Gallagher (Geo-Actuary)
What is a GPS? : What is a GPS? A GPS uses a system of 27 satellites (24 active, 3 reserve) to calculate your position.
Since the GPS unit ‘knows’ your position and tracks time, it can calculate distance, speed, direction, and even elevation.
•Some units have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses, altimeters, and even voice navigation.
How did Geocaching Start? : How did Geocaching Start? •On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal degradation called Select Availability (SA) was removed.
May 3, David Ulmer hid the first cache
•Mike Teague, the first to find it, built a web page to document the ‘caches’
Geocaching : Geocaching www.geocaching.com
Lattitude and longitude coordinates
GPS users can use these coordinates to find local caches
Geocaching : Geocaching
Types of Caches : Types of Caches Traditional Caches- Sizes ranging from
ammo boxes
Cool Whip containers (most common)
Traditional “Micros”- Generally the size of film containers
Nano Cache
Travel Bugs : Travel Bugs These are caches that are meant to travel
http://www.geocaching.com/track/search.aspx?o=1&uid=b537b19f-438a-4fc6-aa78-522d481af70c
Finding a Geocache : Finding a Geocache Be inconspicuous in public places (watch for muggles!)
Search carefully, practice LNT
Sign logbook and replace cache as found, Do Not Relocate
If you trade trinkets, trade kindly
Report any problems promptly
If you take a traveler, log it and pass it on
Trading Items : Trading Items Do Not Place:
Guns/ Knives
Drugs/ Alcohol
Explosive/ Ammo
Food or Scented Items
Things that freeze
Use Common Sense Do Place:
Toys/ games
Trinkets
Books
Travelers/ coins
Signature items
Camera to take picture with
Fast food restaurant toys
Great Weekend Hobby : Great Weekend Hobby We found this cache near a popular fast-food restaurant…
hidden under the light skirt!!
Cache found under a different skirt…. : Cache found under a different skirt….
Show Cute Video Here! : Show Cute Video Here! YouTube - Introduction to Geocaching
How can I use this in my class? : How can I use this in my class? Science
History/Social Studies
Geography
Mathematics
Physical Education
Language Arts
Technology
Art
Geocaching in the Classroom : Geocaching in the Classroom Improve and expand geographic literacy among students and teachers. (Map points and determine position, time, and direction of motion)
Establish instruction in geospatial technology and the use of GPS systems as required components of multiple lessons.
Given an exercise incorporating GPS, students will model appropriate behavior in roles that demonstrate teamwork.
Geocaching on the Internet : Geocaching on the Internet http://www.techappsnetwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=238:cache-me-if-you-can&catid=89:6-8-tech-apps&directory=84
http://www.collincountyadventurecamp.org/Index.cfm?FuseAction=Page&PageID=1002697
http://www.cacheboxstore.com/logs/logsheet.html
http://www.teamvistech.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32
http://edublog.sedck12.org/media/blogs/GPS/CachingClassroomIdeas.pdf
http://www.springhurst.org/geocachingkids/start.htm
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/hmcconnell-3768-geocaching-use-classroom-final-education-ppt-powerpoint/
http://ksuetcgeo.blogspot.com/2009/01/welcome-to-geocaching-in-classroom.html
How am I Going to PAY for this Stuff??? : How am I Going to PAY for this Stuff??? GRANTS!!
Best Buy
Adopt-a-Classroom http://www.adoptaclassroom.org/index.aspx
District Foundation
Sheryl Abshire, PhD http://www.cpsb.org/Scripts/abshire/grants.asp
Edutopia Grant Info http://www.edutopia.org/grantinfo
Google: Educational Technology Grants
Pre-trip Practice…on the Playground : Pre-trip Practice…on the Playground
Placing Caches Around Campus : Placing Caches Around Campus GPS signals work only outdoors.
Signals are less reliable around tall outdoor structures.
Hide the caches well enough so they won’t be “muggled” (taken without permission by those who don’t geocache).
Placing Caches cont. : Placing Caches cont. Keep safety a priority.
Inform school staff.
Can’t put school caches on Geocaching site.
Ready for “Real” Trip : Ready for “Real” Trip Gather things to hide.
Prepare containers
Go hide and record the latitude and longitude using your gps device. VERY IMPORTANT!
Group students.
Get adult help, one adult for each group. VERY IMPORTANT!
Go have fun!
Pre-Trip Preparations : Pre-Trip Preparations Inputting waypoint information (latitude and longitude)
Organization!! : Organization!!
Slide 31: Duck Duck…Goose
N 27° 50.032 W 097° 33.485
Any Beavers Around Here?
N 27° 50.024 W 097° 33.295
Yoooou're Oooout!
N 27° 49.988 W 097° 33.099
Holey-Moley!
N 27° 49.952 W 097° 33.312
Tiiiiimber!!
N 27° 50.006 W 097° 33.305
Out on a limb…
N 27° 49.935 W 097° 33.106
Picnic! See any ants???
N 27° 49.979 W 097° 33.200
Orange you near??
N 27° 49.926 W 097° 33.260
Typing Questions: Pre-trip : Typing Questions: Pre-trip
The Trip! Guth Park, Corpus Christi, TX : The Trip! Guth Park, Corpus Christi, TX
Lunch! : Lunch!
Journaling the Trip : Journaling the Trip
Alamo Heights : Alamo Heights Use Geocache Google Earth Viewer
Questions? : Questions?