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

What is Geocaching?

A geo-referenced treasure hunt using:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*

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

What are the rewards of Geocaching?

a) the TREASURE!!!

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

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

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

How can Geocaching be a teaching tool?

A. GPS skills

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

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

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

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

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

So what exactly are we looking for?

Types of Caches

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding a Geocache

A. Getting started

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

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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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!)

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

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

Hiding a Geocache

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

And one little reminder:

Geocaching is often a “wilderness” experience!

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

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

AND ALWAYS, PRACTICE