TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING: HANDHELD GPS AND EARTHCACHING Dr. Heather Petcovic Department of Geosciences and the Mallinson Institute for Science Education
TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING: HANDHELD GPS AND EARTHCACHING Today s Agenda What is EarthCaching? What is GPS? Do an example EarthCache How can EarthCaching be used to teach science (and other subjects)?
GEOCACHING An outdoor treasuring hunting game 1. Find a geocache online http://www.geocaching.com/ 2. Navigate to the coordinates 3. Find the hidden container 4. Sign the logbook (or take/ leave a treasure )
EARTHCACHING VS GEOCACHING Both are outdoor treasuring hunting game 3. Find the hidden container 1. Find a cache online 2. Navigate to the coordinates 4. Sign the logbook (or take/leave a treasure ) 3. Learn about Earth by making observations and answering questions 4. Log the cache online
CLICKER QUESTION In which way is EarthCaching different from GeoCaching? A. EarthCaching requires navigating to a set of coordinates B. In EarthCaching, the prize is learning about the Earth C. In EarthCaching, you have to find a hidden container D. EarthCaching can be done indoors
LETS GO EARTHCACHING! http://www.earthcache.org/
AN EXAMPLE: KALAMAZOO RIVER OIL SPILL Created by a local teacher for our 2011-2012 workshop Requires visits to sites in K zoo and Battle Creek Observe and answer questions http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/gc37p79_kalamazoo-river-oilspill?guid=ca1b6285-24a3-4a0f-a8ce-c0ae32d416a2
HOW TO CREATE AN EARTHCACHE 1. Become a member http://www.earthcache.org/ 2. Find an interesting location near you (a lake, beach, glacial feature, stream valley, etc.) 3. Develop a lesson that requires: A visit to the location Some sort of activity (making observations, collecting measurements, etc.) 4. Post your EarthCache 5. Answer questions from visitors
FINDING YOUR EARTHCACHE: LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE Latitude lines run horizontal Equator is 0 North and South Poles are 90
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE Longitude lines, also known as meridians, run vertical The Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England is 0 Lines range from 0 to 180 International Date Line is 180
NAVIGATING TO YOUR EARTHCACHE: GPS Global Positioning System Network of 24 satellites (with spares) Developed by Department of Defense Operational 24 hours/day Available worldwide Land, sea and air (but needs a clear view of the sky) Works in all weather conditions It is FREE!!
CLICKER QUESTION In which of the following places would you best be able to use a GPS? A. In a city with tall buildings B. In a forest C. In a cave underground D. In an open field
CLICKER QUESTION In which of the following places would your GPS not work at all? A. In a city with tall buildings B. In a forest C. In a cave underground D. In an open field
HOW GPS WORKS Radio signal is sent between satellite and receiver The time it takes for the signal to arrive is used to calculate the distance to the receiver Distance = rate x time
HOW GPS WORKS Three satellites needed for position (lat, long) and movement Four needed for altitude Most receivers are accurate to 15 m (about 40 feet) Differential receivers are accurate to 3 M (10 feet)
CLICKER QUESTION Which type of signal does a GPS use? A. Radio B. Microwave C. Cellular D. Sonic E. Infrared
HOW TO USE A HANDHELD GPS Garmin Etrex Legend HCX
SOME GPS TERMINOLOGY Words to know: Waypoint: a physical location (lat, long) Route: a series of two or more marked waypoints (visit one at a time) Track: locations taken automatically (hundreds to thousands)
HOW TO USE A GARMIN etrex LEGEND HCX Four main pages: (Acquiring satellites) Main Menu access waypoints, routes, and tracks Map of your waypoints, track or route Compass for navigation
HOW TO USE A GARMIN etrex LEGEND HCX Setting a waypoint: Press and hold the rocker Change the name of the location (if you want to, or just remember the waypoint number) Navigate to OK and press the rocker
HOW TO USE A GARMIN etrex LEGEND HCX Navigating to a waypoint: Page (right button) to the Main Menu Choose Find and press the rocker Choose Waypoints and press the rocker Use the rocker to scroll to the waypoint you want, then push it On the Waypoint page, scroll to Go To and press the rocker
HOW TO USE A GARMIN etrex LEGEND HCX Navigating to a waypoint, continued: On the Map page Follow the line On the Compass page Turn until the pointer aligns with the direction line Start walking in this direction To stop navigating: Press Menu (left button) Select Stop Navigating and press the rocker
Now for the fun part!
VARIOUS USES OF GPS What can you do with GPS & EarthCaching?
EARTHCACHING IN THE CURRICULUM Content Area Scientific Practices Earth Science Environmental Science Geography / Social Studies Math Language Arts Example Learning Objectives - Formulate and test hypotheses - Draw conclusions based on evidence - Observe and explain earth processes using local, realworld examples - Observe and explain interactions between humans and the environment - Characterize and understand landforms - Maps, coordinate systems, and navigation - Make measurements and estimates - Concepts of scale - Graphing and simple equations - Reading comprehension - Technical writing
CLICKER QUESTION EarthCaching could be used to meet state or national standards in which areas? A. Earth Science B. Environmental Science C. Geography D. Math E. All of these and more!
TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING: HANDHELD GPS AND EARTHCACHING Any questions? heather.petcovic@wmich.edu