What is GPS? Navigation Tools 1B Life Skills: Thinking: problem solving, learning to learn, decision making, critical thinking Managing: planning/organizing, goal setting, keeping records Standards/Objectives: How to use geographic tools and technologies to acquire, process and apply information from a spatial perspective How to use a GPS receiver Requirements: Power Point: “Position yourself with GIS/GPS in Lawrence & Richland Counties” (you may customize it for your area or show it as is) Equipment to show the ppt:computer, screen, extension cord, etc. “Facilitator’s notes” for the ppt – brief notes explain each slide Safe outdoor area for GPS receiver satellite signal access GPS receivers and an experienced helper if possible Handouts with GPS receiver instructions are helpful for beginners “Enter a waypoint to find” “MARK a waypoint” Hands-on activity lesson 1B “Intro to GPS & Geocaching” for a group is suggested for a follow-up activity Research indicates that science, engineering and technology (SET) skills are needed in the United States for future jobs. Several GPS/GIS activities are available following this introduction, created by University of Illinois Extension educators to provide geospatial technology knowledge to Illinois 4-H members. Following the power point, GPS receivers may be handed out to apply the concepts learned. Participants will step outside and access satellite signals. Other outdoor activities may be held at this time or at other meetings. Event organizers will need to prepare for scavenger hunt activities ahead of time. ASK What is GPS? A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a network of satellites that send signals to receivers with latitude and longitude data to pinpoint locations. At any given time, 24 satellites are circling the Earth (24 regular plus 3 extras in case one conks out). The satellites circle the Earth twice a day from about 12,000 miles away. GPS receivers include handheld units which receive and record positional data from satellites. They range in cost from under $100 to thousands of dollars. An inexpensive GPS receiver can provide you and your friends or family hours of fun and exploration. Originally, this technology was developed for military use, but it is now available to anyone. It is widely used in commerce, government, and recreational applications. Although 24 satellites circle the earth, it is only necessary to have a good signal from at least three to pinpoint a location, and at least four to measure elevation. The 4-H Geospatial project is new, and some of you aren’t sure about what this project is about. To introduce this new technology, we developed a power point, “Introduction to GPS & Geocaching” to briefly explain GPS. To understand the power point slides, please see the “facilitators’ notes” accompanying the power point. The notes provide some information for every slide, in terms which can be understood by the common person. Examples are given of current applications in commerce, government and recreational uses of GPS, which are of importance to youth exploring careers. Page views Hand-held GPS receiver features are shown in the power point, explaining some of the information “pages” to acquaint you with information that receivers provide. Pointer page shows you the direction you are traveling you must be moving for it to work To make learning about GPS fun, we added information about the sport of geocaching to the power point. Geocaching uses a GPS receiver for scavenger hunts all around the world, seeking and finding hidden caches listed on www.geocaching.com. Activity lesson 2A, “Hands On – Let’s go Geocaching!” will tell you more about official geocaching. “Hands on - Introduction to GPS and Geocaching” activity lesson 1B accompanies this introduction, and gives directions for setting out temporary or unofficial “geocaches” for 2 a scavenger hunt type activity. This is a great way to learn to use the GPS receivers to find, or to mark specific locations. INVESTIGATE How can I try this out? I don’t have a GPS receiver! You may know people who own GPS receivers. Receivers are available for loan or rent from some Extension centers; contact your local Extension office for resources. Receivers vary greatly in type, but all are capable of basic functions identifying latitude and longitude coordinates. CREATE After watching the power point, pass out GPS receivers. Turn them on, and practice entering waypoint destinations from a list of latitude and longitude coordinates (prepared by your presenter) close to your location. Hints: If programming the GPS units indoors, you will not get a satellite signal. “Simulator mode” saves batteries and allows hands-on experience in programming coordinates. Turn on regular mode when you go outside. Our handouts refer to the Garmin Map76 GPS receiver ; your receiver may look different, but the concepts are the same. Be sure to have extra batteries available. If this is your first time using a GPS receiver, handouts on Entering and Marking a waypoint may be helpful to you. Go outside and away from things like buildings and trees, as suggested in the power point, so you can get clear satellite signals. Can you see your receiver accessing satellite signals? Split up your groups to head for different waypoints on your list – if time permits, you may seek more than one. Regroup and discuss. DISCUSS What did you learn today? Were you able to find waypoints? If you had to share your GPS unit with other participants, what was that like? REFLECT How can you use what you learned today? Do you want to go geocaching with your family? Would this be a fun activity to do while on vacation? Future Applications: 3 See activity lesson 1B, “Hands on - Introduction to GPS and Geocaching” for an exciting outdoor activity to try out your new GPS knowledge. It will be helpful to have help from people who have used GPS receivers or done geocaching to help set up the activity. Hint: Having a person knowledgeable about GPS units present is helpful. It is likely that there are geocachers in your county, and they may be willing to help youth with GPS units. If you know of others who use GPS in their work, this may be a good time to invite them to talk about how they apply GPS; agricultural uses, surveyors, assessors, etc. Author: Barb Roberts, youth development educator, University of Illinois Extension, Lawrence/Richland Unit Power Point Developers: Parts of the power point were created by the many authors on the first slide. Barb Roberts, youth development educator, University of Illinois Extension created the final version and the facilitators’ notes with consult from Dennis Bowman and Ruth Ann Vokac of the University of Illinois Extension. Date: March 23, 2009 University of Illinois U.S. Department of Agriculture Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the county Extension office. 4