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Synopsis of MyGPS Technology

WorkshopThis is a lesson about global navigating and the Global Position System (GPS). We’ll retrace the footsteps and sea passages of prior explorers.

We’ll take a look at the history of navigation and explore the Global Positioning System (GPS). Then we’ll use GPS receivers to locate our position on the Earth and go geocaching (which is a high-tech treasure

hunt in the woods using GPS).

Presented by Mark N. Lewellen

MarkL1962@comcast.net

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Class Objectives

• Brief History of Navigation• How Latitude/Longitude (coordinates) are

used• Understand the basic concepts of how GPS

works• Introduction to Geocaching• Hands-on experience using a GPS

Receiver (GPSr) outdoors

Full course is about 3-4 hours but can be scaled back to fit

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These questions and many more will be answered at myGPS Workshop

• What would you use to find your way at sea?Hint: It might depend on knowing the time!

• Did you know the Magnetic Compass was first invented in China but was not originally used for Navigation?

• Could you figure out your present location with this?

• Do you know how to use a GPS Garmin Handheld?

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Where are you now?

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What's Your Latitude/Longitude?

• Did you ever wonder how early sailors navigated the seas?

• It is rather easy to follow a trail or map over land, orienting yourself by following a river, a valley between mountain chains, or a coastline

• There are many landmarks that you can see to set your course

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GPS

• GPS is a constellation of satellites that emit electronic signals while orbiting the Earth

• A GPS receiver gathers the signals from multiple satellites overhead, then triangulates those signals to calculate its precise location

• Those receivers can be hand-held or mounted in ships, aircraft and vehicles

Global Positioning System

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Exercise #1

Question?

What else does GPS stand for?

AnswerGreat for Public Schools

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Introduction to Geocaching

• “Geo” meaning “Earth”

• “Cache” meaning “Storage”

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What is Geocaching?

• Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt in the woods using GPS

• Enter the cache coordinates into your GPSr

• Try to find it yourself!

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Basic Geocaching

• Find a cache• Take something, leave

something• Sign the logbook and

website• HAVE FUN!!!!

Finding a Cache

Sign theLogbook Have Fun!!

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How to make it more than a

“treasure hunt”• Use Geocaching to

teach about the wonderful world around us

• Lessons in nearly any topic can be taught around Geocaching

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Sources

• www.geocaching.com

• www.todayscacher.com

• www.groundspeak.com

• www.garmin.com

Main website for geocaching

Articles and Forums

On-line Store (Travel Bugs)

GPS and other accessories

Please contact me for more informationOr to schedule a workshop:

Mark N. LewellenMarkL1962@comcast.net