Educaching combines GPS technology, geocaching, and classroom subjects into outdoor learning lessons. It allows students to develop skills like critical thinking, navigation, and teamwork. Teachers can enhance any subject by having students use GPS receivers to complete tasks like measuring areas, identifying trees, or answering review questions located at marked waypoints. While start-up costs and time requirements present limitations, grants and fundraising can help obtain needed GPS units and supplies. Example lessons demonstrate how concepts in math, science, and other subjects can be taught using GPS-based scavenger hunt activities.

1. Educaching Enhancing Math and Science using GPS Technology By TripCyclone For Educational Use. Please do not reuse without permission.

2. What is Educaching? Educaching combines the scavenger hunt elements of Geocaching, GPS technology, and the subject matter of your class into an interactive, outdoor learning opportunity.

3. Value for Students Besides being another approach to learning, students can develop skills in Critical Thinking Navigation Teamwork An understanding of how to use GPS is also useful as students become drivers.

4. Value for Teachers Any subject matter can be taught or enhanced through Educaching. Designed to integrate within your curriculum, not replace. Can easily link lessons to State and National standards. Provides another source of active learning for students.

5. How does GPS work? GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The current system involves three components: Ground Component Space Component User Component

6. How does GPS work (cont)? Ground Component Helps ensure satellites have accurate time and orbital information. Space Component A “constellation” of 30 satellites, with several reserves, each continually sending out a signal as they orbit Earth. User Component Each receiver (GPSr) reads the signal from space. Requires signal from four satellites to determine location.

7. How is GPS used? Beyond Auto-Navigation, GPS is used by: Military Surveyors Scientists Park Rangers Emergency Services Airline Industry

8. What is Geocaching? Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt using GPS. Played by millions around the world.

9. Geocaches around Tan-Tar-A

10. Incorporating Education Before developing lessons to teach your subject matter, lessons about using GPS are needed. Introduce GPS, how it works, and how to use a GPSr. Take students outside. Learn how to mark and find a waypoint. Take students outside. Learn how to use the GPSr compass and paying attention to your surroundings. Take students outside. Learn about accuracy.

11. Teaching your Subject Matter When developing lessons, identify three things: What concept do you want to teach? How can you apply that concept out in the world? How can that concept application be an active lesson?

12. Math Example Concept to teach Perimeter and Area Applying the concept Measuring the area of a parking lot Turning into active lesson Have students use GPS to mark waypoints around a parking lot. Students then use the distances between waypoints to determine perimeter and area.

13. Other Math Topics Indirect Measurements Conversion rates Statistics Angles Slope

14. Science Example Concept to teach Classification Applying the concept Identifying trees Turning into active lesson Prior to class, you mark waypoints next to different trees. Students then use GPS to navigate to one of the trees. Students use a tree identification guide to identify the type of tree they found.

15. Other Science Examples Astronomy Plant Growth Population Studies Geology Weather

16. Review Game Example Concept to teach Variable Applying the concept Reviewing previously taught material Turning into active lesson Prior to class, you hide containers that contain review questions, & create waypoints for each. Students then have to navigate to, find, and answer the questions to as many containers as possible within one class period.

17. Break-out Session Time to see what ideas might already be swimming in your head. Partner up with two other people, and try to develop a lesson using GPS. Remember: What concept do you want to teach? How can you apply that concept outside the classroom? How can that concept application be an active lesson?

18. Needed Supplies GPS Receivers (GPSr) Rechargeable batteries & charger

19. Optional Supplies GPS Database Software (EasyGPS) Surveyor Marking Flags Sealable containers (size varies depending on needs) Lock &Lock tupperware 2-Liter Pre-forms Ammunition Cans

20. Limitations of Educaching Cost Basic Garmin eTrex= $70-80 per unit Rechargeable Batteries Depends on # of GPSr’s One charger & 4 batteries set ≈ $20 Additional Batteries 4-pack ≈ $15 8-pack ≈ $25 This only covers needed materials.

21. Limitations cont. Time Setting up a lesson requires you to have already figured out where you want students to go. You can either enter waypoints into each GPSr on your own, or hire…ask for student volunteers. If lessons involve additional supplies, clean-up time will be needed. Don’t forget to charge batteries.

22. Limitations cont. Space The amount of space and type of landscape your school has can be another limiting factor. Since you are outdoors, weather is an obvious factor to consider. Schools that have developed an outdoor classroom have an advantage.

23. Getting $$$$ With the greatest limitation being costs, how can you get money? Grants Corporate Grant School Foundation Grant Fundraisers Online Donations DonorsChoose.org

24. Additional Resources http://www.educaching.com Has developed a curriculum using GPS. They sell starter kits that include GPS units. http://www.geocaching.com/ Biggest Geocaching database. Free to join and use, with additional benefits to paying users. They have an entire forum section for using GPS in Education.

25. Additional Resources GIS Education GIS, or Geographic Information System, is commonly used by a variety of professionals needing accurate geographic information. Can be a resource for more advanced GPS related lessons. GIS 2 GPS A resource site for Educators using GPS

26. Example of GIS use in Missouri

27. Additional Resources Earthcaching is a unique type of geocache that centers around Earth Science, without a need for hidden containers. It is sponsored by the Geological Society of America, the National Park Service, and other organizations. They have a free, 87 page Educator’s Guide online.

28. Outdoor Activity Time to see this in action. Outcomes Learn how to handle a GPSr Experience two Mini-Lessons

29. GPS Receiver Navigating the Screens Menu Compass Satellites Marking and Finding Waypoints

30. Activities Accuracy Lab Impacts of Accuracy on GPS Signal Working with lower accuracy Review Game Finding Containers Q & A Practice using a Receiver

31. Away We Go

32. Consider This Locations Consider where you hide a container. Containers Consider what you use for a container. Common Sense Some students will try to follow the GPSr’s arrow religiously, to the point of ignoring their surroundings.

33. Review Trouble Shooting Applications and Connections Q & A