Geocaching: Let’s go on aTreasure Hunt! Mary Beth Hengelbrok http://mhengelbrok.wikispaces.com/geocaching The sport where YOU are the search engine

A high-tech treasure hunt Need a GPS Seek a cache based on latitude and longitude coordinates This is not just a teaching tool, it’s a lifetime activity. What is Geocaching?

A high-tech treasure hunt

Need a GPS

Seek a cache based on latitude and longitude coordinates

This is not just a teaching tool, it’s a lifetime activity.

Global Positioning System Approx: $100-$500 Garmin and Magellan are the most popular Can download cache Info into the receiver if it is properly equipped iPhones Groundspeak App $10 GPS

Global Positioning System

Approx: $100-$500

Garmin and Magellan are the most popular

Can download cache

Info into the receiver if it is properly equipped

iPhones

Groundspeak App $10

Using three satellites, you should be able to determine your exact position through trilateration. Some variables include: Trees Buildings Atmospheric Interference, etc. *A typical hand held receiver gets within 5-15 feet. How Does It Work?

Using three satellites, you should be able to determine your exact position through trilateration.

Some variables include:

Trees

Buildings

Atmospheric Interference, etc.

*A typical hand held receiver gets within 5-15 feet.

Build an account on www.geocaching.com Search by city, zip code, state, driving route, etc. (I usually search by zip code--16506) Record the latitude and longitude coordinates and read the hints! How do I find a cache?

Build an account on

www.geocaching.com

Search by city, zip code, state, driving route, etc.

(I usually search by zip code--16506)

Record the latitude and longitude coordinates and read the hints!

Sign the log book Trade items—Take something, leave something Look for travel bugs and geocoins Be sure to put the cache back in the same place you found it with the appropriate amount of camouflage. When you find the cache…

Sign the log book

Trade items—Take something, leave something

Look for travel bugs and geocoins

Be sure to put the cache back in the same place you found it with the appropriate amount of camouflage.

Get as close to the location as you can. Insert the coordinates into the GPS. Follow the compass until it gets to 0-10 feet. Use your “geosense” to find the cache. Then what?

Get as close to the location as you can.

Insert the coordinates into the GPS.

Follow the compass until it gets to 0-10 feet.

Use your “geosense” to find the cache.

What am I looking for?

Travel Bugs

Geocoins Collectable and Tradable Items

Take a bag that includes: GPS First Aid kit/bug spray Pen/Pencil Swag/Tradable items Compass ‘ Survival Guide’

Take a bag that includes:

GPS

First Aid kit/bug spray

Pen/Pencil

Swag/Tradable items

Compass

Muggles: Those who are not geocachers. You must be careful to be stealthy around them! TFTC: Thanks for the Cache TFTF: Thanks for the Find TNLN: Took Nothing Left Nothing Some ‘Lingo’

Reading latitude and longitude Map skills Using a compass Can add a research component Cross-curricular connections Letterboxing Hybrid Educational Benefits

Reading latitude and longitude

Map skills

Using a compass

Can add a research component

Cross-curricular connections

Letterboxing Hybrid

http://www.educaching.com/ Resource for lesson plans, how-to CD $32.00 Also includes ideas for grant writing Educaching

http://www.educaching.com/

Resource for lesson plans, how-to CD

$32.00

Also includes ideas for

grant writing

www.geocaching.com : For all your geocaching needs A site for beginners: http://www.factsfacts.com/geocacher.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching Want to find out more?

Other Books For Your Library

PAECT list of resources - including GIS software Caching Teacher Blog Podcachers Geocaching List Serv (for teachers) Dr. Christie’s Guide for Educators Other Information

PAECT list of resources - including GIS software

Caching Teacher Blog

Podcachers

Geocaching List Serv (for teachers)

Dr. Christie’s Guide for Educators

Google Earth & GPS Elementary and Secondary Versions $34.95 Lesson Plans and blackline masters Science U.S. History/ Geography

Google Earth & GPS

Elementary and Secondary Versions

$34.95

Lesson Plans and blackline masters

Thank You to Bridget Belardi [email_address] [email_address]