Integrating GPS & Integrating GPS & Geocaching into Geocaching into the Classroomthe Classroom
Professional Development Professional Development Incorporating GPS & Geocaching Incorporating GPS & Geocaching
into your classroominto your classroom
Presenter: Whitney Stone
Who uses GPS?Who uses GPS?
Police and Police and Emergency Emergency Medical ServicesMedical Services
Firefighters Firefighters Map makers Map makers Science Science and…Educators!and…Educators!
Teaching with GPSTeaching with GPS
GPS helps students and educators engage in studies that GPS helps students and educators engage in studies that promote critical thinking, integrated learning, and multiple promote critical thinking, integrated learning, and multiple intelligences, at any grade level! Yes, even early years!intelligences, at any grade level! Yes, even early years!
Through the use of GPS, learners of all ages can apply the Through the use of GPS, learners of all ages can apply the important concept of spatial awareness to discover important concept of spatial awareness to discover relationships and patterns in their world and have a deeper relationships and patterns in their world and have a deeper understanding of the world around them. understanding of the world around them.
Where is it? And Why is it there? GPS can help you find it! Where is it? And Why is it there? GPS can help you find it! Let the students discover why it is there! Let the students discover why it is there!
What can you do with it?What can you do with it?
Educators can use GPS as a teaching aid to help Educators can use GPS as a teaching aid to help students explore their world, and to encourage students explore their world, and to encourage students to be more involved through the interactive students to be more involved through the interactive nature of the technology. nature of the technology.
GPS can be incorporated in different teaching areas, GPS can be incorporated in different teaching areas, not just social studies and geography. Think outside not just social studies and geography. Think outside the box!the box!
In classrooms across the country and around the In classrooms across the country and around the world, educators are using GPS in the study of topics world, educators are using GPS in the study of topics as varied as geography, social studies, science, as varied as geography, social studies, science, environmental studies, history, and economics.environmental studies, history, and economics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoIf55oyBoc
What will the students say?What will the students say?
What if you let the students be the What if you let the students be the teacher…and you were the guide?teacher…and you were the guide?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONBUDPON9Tg
Curriculum Outcomes?Curriculum Outcomes?GIS/GPS Specific Learning Outcomes :
Create maps using a variety of information sources, tools, and technologies. Examples: observation, traditional knowledge, geographic information systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS)...
Select and use appropriate tools and technologies to accomplish tasks. Examples: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)...
Construct maps using a variety of information sources and technologies. Examples: observation, traditional knowledge, compass, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)...
Curriculum Outcomes…Curriculum Outcomes…
GPS can be incorporated into any grade GPS can be incorporated into any grade level with the appropriate training and level with the appropriate training and knowledge!knowledge!
It can be integrated into any subject area It can be integrated into any subject area also! Math, ELA, Art, Science etc.also! Math, ELA, Art, Science etc.
If you are tired of being in the classroom- If you are tired of being in the classroom- Get up and get them using GPS!Get up and get them using GPS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQmkE9hD6uo
What is GPS?What is GPS?
GPSGPS = = GGlobal lobal PPositioning ositioning SSystemystem
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS. use GPS.
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffworks/38-how-gps-works-video.htm
What is GPS? (cont’d)What is GPS? (cont’d)
GPS, (which stands for Global Positioning GPS, (which stands for Global Positioning System), is the only system today able to System), is the only system today able to show you your exact position on the Earth show you your exact position on the Earth anytime, in any weather, anywhere. anytime, in any weather, anywhere.
The three parts of GPS are:The three parts of GPS are:SatellitesSatellitesReceiversReceiversSoftwareSoftware
SatellitesSatellitesThere are quite a There are quite a number of satellites out number of satellites out there in space. They there in space. They are used for a wide are used for a wide range of purposes: range of purposes: satellite TV, cellular satellite TV, cellular phones, military phones, military purposes and etc. purposes and etc. Satellites can also be Satellites can also be used by GPS receivers.used by GPS receivers.
GPS SatellitesGPS SatellitesThe GPS Operational The GPS Operational Constellation Constellation consists of 24 consists of 24 satellites that orbit satellites that orbit the Earth in very the Earth in very precise orbits twice a precise orbits twice a day. GPS satellites day. GPS satellites emit continuous emit continuous navigation signals. navigation signals.
Receivers and SatellitesReceivers and Satellites
GPS units are made GPS units are made to communicate with to communicate with GPS satellites GPS satellites (which have a much (which have a much better view of the better view of the Earth) to find out Earth) to find out exactly where they exactly where they are on the global are on the global scale of things.scale of things.
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/nasa/2038-how-gps-receivers-work-video.htm
The GPS Satellite SystemThe GPS Satellite System The 24 satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about The 24 satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about
12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making two complete orbits in 12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making two complete orbits in less than 24 hours. These satellites are travelling at speeds of roughly 7,000 miles less than 24 hours. These satellites are travelling at speeds of roughly 7,000 miles an hour.an hour.
GPS satellites are powered by solar energy. They have backup batteries onboard to GPS satellites are powered by solar energy. They have backup batteries onboard to keep them running in the event of a solar eclipse, when there's no solar power. keep them running in the event of a solar eclipse, when there's no solar power. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path.Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path.
Here are some other interesting facts about the GPS satellites (also called Here are some other interesting facts about the GPS satellites (also called NAVSTAR, the official U.S. Department of Defense name for GPS):NAVSTAR, the official U.S. Department of Defense name for GPS):
The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.
A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994. A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994. Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built
and launched into orbit. and launched into orbit.
A GPS satellite weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and is about 17 feet across with A GPS satellite weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and is about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended. the solar panels extended.
Transmitter power is only 50 watts or less. Transmitter power is only 50 watts or less.
How does it work?How does it work?
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/nasa/2191-how-gps-works-video.htm
How it Works…How it Works… GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit
and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location.location.
Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is.
Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.unit's electronic map.
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/labratstv/2817-episode-48-gps-demystified-video.htm
How it works…How it works… A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at
least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. and longitude) and track movement.
With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). and altitude).
Once the user's position has been determined, the Once the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information, such as GPS unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.
Latitude and LongitudeLatitude and Longitude
Latitude and Longitude Latitude and Longitude are are spherical coordinatesspherical coordinates on the surface of the on the surface of the earth. Latitude is earth. Latitude is measured North or South measured North or South of the Equator. Longitude of the Equator. Longitude is measured East or West is measured East or West of Greenwich. GPS uses of Greenwich. GPS uses Latitudes and Longitudes Latitudes and Longitudes to reference locations.to reference locations.
How accurate is GPS?How accurate is GPS?
Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate, thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. Garmin's 12 parallel channel receivers are Garmin's 12 parallel channel receivers are quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on quick to lock onto satellites when first turned on and they maintain strong locks, even in dense and they maintain strong locks, even in dense foliage or urban settings with tall buildings. foliage or urban settings with tall buildings.
Certain atmospheric factors and other sources Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers. Garmin® GPS receivers are receivers. Garmin® GPS receivers are accurate to within accurate to within 15 meters15 meters on average. on average.
WaypointsWaypointsWaypoints are locations or landmarks that can Waypoints are locations or landmarks that can be stored in your GPS. Waypoints may be be stored in your GPS. Waypoints may be defined and stored in the unit manually by defined and stored in the unit manually by inputting latitude and longitude from a map or inputting latitude and longitude from a map or other reference. other reference.
Latitude and Longitude
Your location
Direction of waypoint
Date andTime
Waypoint
Or more usually, waypoints may be entered directly by taking a reading with the unit at the location itself, giving it a name, and then saving the point.
How do I get a GPS How do I get a GPS receiver?receiver?
They range in price from about $100 They range in price from about $100 to well over $1,000. to well over $1,000.
Consider writing a mini-grant to get Consider writing a mini-grant to get 4 or 5 to be used at your school.4 or 5 to be used at your school.
Borrow them from friends or parents Borrow them from friends or parents of your students to use for a Geo-of your students to use for a Geo-cache.cache.
Examples of GPS’sExamples of GPS’s
$119.00 $159.00 $219.00 $299.00
http://www.prairie.mb.ca/
$189.00 $379.00
Car GPS’s…Car GPS’s…
$189.00$329.00
$609.00
$849.00
So…Let’s Learn how to So…Let’s Learn how to use them!use them!
Garmin Geko 201
