Introduction to Geocaching

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Introduction to Geocaching
Jim Clark Instructional Technology
Department Wichita Public Schools
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What is Geocaching?

• High tech treasure hunt that uses global
  positioning system (GPS) receiver to hide and
  seek containers (caches) anywhere in the world

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What is GPS?

• It is a system of satellites that are used in
  conjunction with a receiver unit and a control
  station to allow for very accurate determination
  of location

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Garmin etrex GPS Receiver

• Very inexpensive
• Very durable
• Great for basic instruction in use of GPS
• Stores waypoints and routes
• Replaced by Legend unit

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The front of the etrex
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The Back of the etrex
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The Sides of the etrex
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The Sides of the etrex
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Important Pages
Skyview Page
Menu Page
Waypoints Page
Waypoint Review Page
Compass Page
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Geocaching

• Go to http//www.geocaching.com
• Create account
• Under Search for caches enter 67202 for the zip
  code

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Geocaches in 67202 by List
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Geocaches in 67202 by Map
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Geocaches in 67202 by Sat
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Downloading Geocashes

• Check in check box
• Click on Download Waypoints

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To Manage the Geocaches

• Download and install Easy GPS (www.easygps.com)
• Launch Easy GPS and select file you downloaded
• You may then upload or download geocache
  waypoints from your receiver

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Easy GPS
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Geocaches

• Waterproof container
• Contains swag, stash note, pencil/pen, and log
  book
• You should add to the swag if you take swag

Congratulations, you found it! If you found this
cache by accident please dont remove it, this is
a Geocaching treasure box! Join us in the funs of
using GPS to find hidden treasures worldwide at
www.geocaching.com. Please let us know if you
would like us to remove this geocache. Name Date
Waypoint Owner
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Uses in Education

• Use Travel Bugs to track an items movement from
  place to place, including any stories that are
  picked up along the way. (Free alternative to
  Travel Bugs are Travel Tags
• Create a multi-cache that includes information
  about the local history of an area. Students
  learn by doing. (An example might be, tracing tha
  path of a famous person in history at a local
  landmark)
• Create a multi-cache that explores cultural
  connections of the local area.
• Create a cache that explores issues in
  environmental education. (The Evil Green Menace!)
  
• Create a cache that explores health issues.
  (Heart to Heart)
• Create caches that explore numeracy. (User
  Geometry)
• Participate in projects that help students
  collaborate with others around the world. (An
  example might be the Degree Confluence Project)
• Participate in a "Cache In, Trash Out"
  environmental education day.
• Create a geocaching club at school.
• Use virtual caches to avoid planting too many
  caches for you students. (Get students to keep a
  log book and answer questions about locations
  they have visited.)
• From http//www.teachinghacks.com/wiki/index.php?t
  itleGeocaching_for_Educators