GPS

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) & Geocaching There are many types of GPS's. The following GPS's seem to be among the most popular devices used in schools.



THE SCIENCE SPOT: **GPS & GIS Lesson Plans & Links** This site has fabulous resources, including Garmin Quick Tips in PDF form, and many activities for using GPS's with students.

What is Geocaching?
This video provides a great overview of geocaching. Make sure you register at @http://geocaching.com. media type="youtube" key="-4VFeYZTTYs" height="349" width="560"

When students go geocaching you can group 4 students per GPS unit. Give each student a responsibility. Here are some possibilities: Geocaching Guide - This page answers many questions about geocaching, including a glossary of geocaching terms!
 * Photographer: Your job is to take several pictures. Take a picture of your team and each geocache. You must also help your team find each geocache.
 * Guide: Your job is to read the coordinates to the orienteer. Read them slowly and repeat often. Help your team find each geocache.
 * Orienteer: Your job is to carry the GPS and lead your group in the right direction. Listen to the advice of your team members.
 * Recorder: Your job is to record each response required by your teacher and to collect something from the geocache.

GOOGLE EARTH
Google Earth and GPS's work together pretty well. Use Google Earth for giving your students the background knowledge to make the geocaching activity much more meaningful. Google Earth is a free download from @http://www.google.com/earth/index.html To find the coordinates of an exact location in Google Earth, go to the location. When moving the mouse over the location the coordinates will appear at the bottom of the screen. Another way to find coordinates of a location in Google Earth is shown in the following video. media type="youtube" key="sEpqGlIY04s" height="349" width="425"
 * Obtaining Coordinates in Google Earth**

The hardest part about searching for the coordinates in Google Earth is simply entering them correctly. If they are in this format (DMM): 38˚8'll.71" N, 97˚46'24.30"W Type them in the Google Earth search bar like this: 38 8 11.71 N 97 46 24.30 W (put a space between each number) or you can start the coordinates with the N and W such as: N 38 8 11.71 W 97 46 24.30 This link will give you more precise instructions for typing coordinates into Google Earth.
 * Searching Google Earth Using Coordinates **

Another Way to Find Coordinates Go to Latitude and Longitude of a Point. Enter an address and the coordinates will be found.

[|Geocaching.com], the official site of the sport of geocaching, has an official partnership with Google Earth. Check out [|this website] for information about how to easily link the two resources. You must have a (free) membership at[| geocaching.com] in order for this to work.
 * Geocaching.com has released an official network link for supporting Google Earth**