"Geocaching In and Out of the Classroom"

Presented by

Beth Goodwin

Wells-Ogunquit Community School District

egoodwin@wocsd.org

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Introduction

Geocaching is a high tech treasure hunting game. It's fun, easy, cheap...but possibly addictive.

As of Tuesday October 12, 2010 there are 1,213,450 active caches worldwide. (Last year at this time there were 920,533!)

There are 8 Geocaches within 1/2 mile of this room!

A few words about Latitude and Longitude

Latitude is the series of lateral 'lines' dividing Earth into North and South, with the Equator as the mid-point. Longitude are the lines running North and South (think of a long spaghetti noodle) with the Prime Meridan dividing East and West. Latitude and Longiture are reported in degrees, minutes, and seconds. In Maine we are in the Northern latitudes, Western hemisphere.  Our current location is N 44 20.331  W 69 47.560

A word about Muggles

You've read the books. Muggles are those who do not have the magic, know the code, or in the sport of Geocaching own a GPS. We hide geocaches so that they will not be seen by Muggles. If a cache is missing or vandalized its said to have been 'muggled'. If you practice your caching with stealth you will not attract the attention of muggles, and only occasionally will you have to pretend your GPS is a cell phone!

"Geocaching In and Out of the Classroom"  Workshop Outcomes

1. Establish a Geocaching account

2. Searching for caches

3. Basic navigation with a GPS

4. Finding caches

5. Logging caches

6. Ideas for Classroom Applications

Geocaching in nutshell (from Geocaching.com)

1. Click "Hide & Seek a Cache."
2. Enter your postal code and click "search."
3. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
4. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
5. Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
6. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
7. Share your geocaching stories and photos online. 

Outcome 1-  Establish a Geocaching account

Register for a free membership at Geocaching.com

Got an iPhone? Download the Geocaching app ($9.99)

Outcome 2-  Searching for caches

Search for a cache that fits your needs

Search by zip code

Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.

Viewing on GoogleEarth/GoogleMaps

Outcome 3- Basic navigation with a GPS

A practice cache is already entered into your GPS Turn it on, go to FIND > WAYPOINTS > 'No Butts' > GO TO

(N 44 20.533 W 069 47.881)

Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.

Today we will search for these Geocaches which are located here

at the UMaine Augusta campus:

UMA Trail Cache-N 44° 20.337 W 069° 48.015

Invasion of the Body Snatchers-    N 44° 20.389 W 069° 48.248

Why Am I Here?-  N 44° 20.282 W 069° 48.214

Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.

Outcome 4- Finding caches

Going outside!

Cache ettiquette

Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location

Outcome 5- Logging caches

Back inside and log onto your Geocaching account

Sharing your geocaching stories and photos online

Outcome 6- Ideas for Classroom Applications

Maine Studies (Well, Well, Wells)

Social Studies/History/

Mapping (latitude, longitude, east/west hemisphere)

Mathematics (coordinates)

Expository Writing

GoogleEarth/GoogleMaps

Environmentalism and Sustainability ('Cache In Trash Out')

FAQs from Geocaching.com

GZ? TFTC? BYOP?

Go here for Geocaching Lingo

Links

Guide to Buying a GPS

Geography Games for Kids

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