1. 2007 MSC Inservice Training in Environmental Science Session 2 Prof. William Snyder, Environmental Science Geocaching as a Teaching Tool

2. http://www.geocaching.com/

3. What is Geocaching?

4. A geo-referenced treasure hunt using:

5. What is Geocaching? A geo-referenced treasure hunt using: a) GPS receivers

6. What is Geocaching? A geo-referenced treasure hunt using: a) GPS receivers b) internet databases

7. What is Geocaching? A geo-referenced treasure hunt using: a) GPS receivers b) internet databases Geocaching involves:

8. What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches

9. What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions

10. What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions c) using a GPS receiver and maps to find the cache

11. What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions c) using a GPS receiver and maps to find the cache d) signing the cached log and swapping treasures*

12. What is Geocaching? Geocaching involves: a) locating local, available caches b) downloading waypoints and descriptions c) using a GPS receiver and maps to find the cache d) signing the cached log and swapping treasures* e) logging your find on the Geocaching website

13. What are the rewards of Geocaching?

14. a) the TREASURE!!!

15. What are the rewards of Geocaching? a) the TREASURE!!! b) finding a deliberately hidden item

16. What are the rewards of Geocaching? a) the TREASURE!!! b) finding a deliberately hidden item c) solving a riddle

17. What are the rewards of Geocaching? a) the TREASURE!!! b) finding a deliberately hidden item c) solving a riddle d) finding unique areas and features which are easily overlooked

18. How can Geocaching be a teaching tool?

19. A. GPS skills

20. How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills

21. How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills

22. How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills D. Orienteering skills

23. How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills D. Orienteering skills E. Field skills

24. How can Geocaching be a teaching tool? A. GPS skills B. Computer/internet skills C. Geospatial skills D. Orienteering skills E. Field skills F. Intrinsic reward system

25. So what exactly are we looking for?

26. Types of Caches

27. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache

28. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache

29. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache

30. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache

31. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache D. Virtual Cache

32. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache D. Virtual Cache E. Earth Cache

33. So what exactly are we looking for? Types of Caches A. Traditional Cache 1. Micro Cache B. Multi-Stage Cache C. Mystery or Puzzle Cache D. Virtual Cache E. Earth Cache F. Letter Boxing

34. Finding a Geocache

35. A. Getting started

36. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account

37. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ

38. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ 3. picking and finding a cachepicking and finding a cache

39. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ 3. picking and finding a cachepicking and finding a cache 4. seeking a cacheseeking a cache

40. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started 1. create an accountcreate an account 2. FAQFAQ 3. picking and finding a cachepicking and finding a cache 4. seeking a cacheseeking a cache 5. maintaining a “nearest cache” page“nearest cache”

41. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks”

42. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach

43. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there

44. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for

45. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for 4. read previous finders’ logs (spoilers!)

46. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for 4. read previous finders’ logs (spoilers!) 5. rely on the “additional hints” clueadditional hints

47. Finding a Geocache A. Getting started B. Some “finding tricks” 1. use map resources to plan your approach 2. ID ground zero; work out from there 3. know what you are looking for 4. read previous finders’ logs (spoilers!) 5. rely on the “additional hints” clueadditional hints 6. think like a hider

48. Hiding a Geocache

49. A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines

50. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting

51. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning

52. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it?

53. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here?

54. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?

55. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?  educational opportunities

56. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?  educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance

57. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?  educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements

58. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?  educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements example 1

59. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?  educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements example 1example 2

60. Hiding a Geocache A. cache hiding guidelines (MUST READ!!)guidelines B. cache reportingreporting C. planning 1. where do you want to place it? 2. why are you placing it here? 3. what type of cache do you want to place?  educational opportunities a. historical/natural significance b. problem solving requirements example 1example 2 D. watching a cachecache

61. And one little reminder:

62. Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience!

63. And one little reminder: Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience! Be Prepared!

64. And one little reminder: Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience! Be Prepared! -- spare batteries -- topo map -- compass -- water -- bug spray

65. AND ALWAYS, PRACTICE