A Geocaching First

Last Tuesday, I took my four 2nd grade classes geocaching for the first time. We had so much fun. I was amazed at how easily they took to using the handheld GPS. They learned how to turn on the device, acquire satellites, and use the built-in compass to navigate the 450 feet to the cache (located in a field next to our campus). My 10 -minute introductory lesson included:

Asking the students how many of their parents have a GPS in their vehicles and how they are used. We talked about how some of the GPS found in cars are built into the consoles while others are mounted to the dash and portable.

Defining GPS for them, sharing graphics explaining how the satellites work, and brainstorming reasons why a handheld GPS might not always work (indoors, bad weather, tree cover).

Displaying images of the various screens they would see on the GPS device.

I think I have created monsters. Now all they want to do is talk about geocaching.

Grant Proposal Accepted - YEAH!

In March, I submitted a proposal for the DeWitt E. and Vera M. Hooker Fellowship Grant sponsored by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). My grant proposal, entitled Empowering Student Learners with GPS was accepted, so I will now have the funds to purchase a class set of handheld GPS units along with all the other paraphanalia needed to start geocaching at my school.

This was a wonderful surprise on many levels. First, I've applied for this grant on several other occasions as have many colleagues at my school. No one has ever received one before. Second, each week as I continued my exploration of GPS, GIS, and Geocaching, I became more and more excited about it. I knew that even without winning the grant, I would make it happen at my school some how. Finally, the timing of the announcement has put the bounce back in my step! April and May are always such a difficult time - so much to accomplish, not enough time to do so. I have something so incredible to look forward to.

Guess I'll be continuing this blog once the class is over!