Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Geocaching as a hands-on, integrated activity
Gary J. Senn – [email protected]
Bridget Coleman – [email protected]
Deborah McMurtrie – [email protected]
http://rpsec.usca.edu/Presentations/AMLE2014/
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
What is Geocaching?
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Standards: Measurement & Data
• Measurement & Data:
• CCSS 4.MD.1 and MD.2 Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
• CCSS 5.MD.1 Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Standards: Geometry
• Geometry 7.G.1 Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
CCSS Mathematical Practices
• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• Use appropriate tools strategically.
• Attend to precision.
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Literacy• CCSS Literacy in SS
– Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
• CCSS Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects– Key Ideas and Details
• CCSS Reading– Key Ideas and Details– Craft and Structure– Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Science Standards 2014
Science and Engineering Practices
•5, 6, 7, 8 P.1 The student will use the science and engineering practices, including the processes and skills of scientific inquiry, to develop understandings of science content.
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Science Standards 2014
Conceptual Understanding
•5, 6, 7, 8 P.1A The practices of science and engineering support the development of science concepts, develop the habits of mind that are necessary for scientific thinking, and allow students to engage in science in ways that are similar to those used by scientists and engineers.
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Recent Adventures
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Educational Caches
RPSEC - Venus GC3JGQ4
Shelby Park Cave Spring GC206AR
A History of Agricultural Education GC2N38A
Tour Of Historic Fort Negley GCM95E
Capitol Relics GC9281
The Classy Cache 4 GC3BMR3
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Geocaching Art – Map view
• Geo Art: Bicyclist - #01 GC3WQ97 - Ohio
• Head Alien #01 GC253ZN - Nevada
• 0001 RR - 4-4-0 General GC3FA3B - Idaho
• RT J1 Gränsen GC3KCW0 - Sweeden, Saint
• STS-1 GC39XR5 - California, Shuttle, more
• 002 Thunderbird GC3539X - Idaho, Jet
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
“Educaching” resources
• Alice Christie article – Using GPS and Geocaching Engages,
Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Students
• Edcaching wiki
• Geocaching and Education
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Geocaching Ideas
• Topic caches• Multicaches – tell a story• Create an event:
– Cache In Trash Out (CITO)– Celebrate special day: Arbor day, Veteran’s Day,
Introduce A Girl To Engineering Day
• Follow Travel Bugs• Create a geocaching club at school.
Infusing a love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Geocaching Apps
• Geocaching.com– iPhone, Android, Windows Phone
https://www.geocaching.com/live/
• iPhone: FindIt! Free
• Android: Latitude Longitude Coordinates
• Windows: GPS Satellite