TCEA Geocaching in the Classroom TCEA20

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?