infusing a love for science, technology, engineering and math geocaching as a hands-on, integrated...

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/


What is Geocaching?


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.


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.


CCSS Mathematical Practices

• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

• Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

• Use appropriate tools strategically.

• Attend to precision.


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


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.


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.


Recent Adventures


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


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


“Educaching” resources

• Alice Christie article – Using GPS and Geocaching Engages,

Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Students

• Edcaching wiki

• Geocaching and Education


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.


Geocaching Apps

• Geocaching.com– iPhone, Android, Windows Phone

https://www.geocaching.com/live/

• iPhone: FindIt! Free

• Android: Latitude Longitude Coordinates

• Windows: GPS Satellite

infusing a love for science, technology, engineering and math geocaching as a hands-on, integrated...

Documents