GPS on the Move
Students learn how to use a handheld GPS receiverCopyright Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Defense_advanced_GPS_receiver.jpg
During a scavenger hunt and an art project, students learn how to use a handheld GPS receiver for personal navigation. Teachers can request assistance from the Institute of Navigation to find nearby members with experience in using GPS and in locating receivers to use. Visit the ION website (www.ion.org) for links to local ION sections and member contact information. (Note: Mention of specific receiver manufacturers or brands does not constitute an endorsement by the Institute of Navigation or the University of Colorado.)
An everyday use for GPS technology is for personal navigation during recreational sports. Engineer-designed handheld receivers (powered by batteries, sold at sporting goods stores for $100-500) are easy to use for many outdoor activities. GPS is popular for hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. People who need to keep track of their location, find their way to a specific location, know what direction they are going, or how fast they are going can benefit from GPS technology.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Understand how to use a handheld GPS receiver to navigate
- Evaluate data collected from GPS receivers and other students to formulate conclusions.
- Describe how using and understanding maps and compasses can help determine a person's location
- Understand how GPS technology is used in everyday life