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= Welcome to MES GPS!​ =

=What is geocaching?= Geo- Geography, Caching-hiding a cache. In hiking and camping a cache is a place for concealing and preserving provisions. Thus, Geo + Caching = using geography skills to find treasure.

= = =GPS Facts:=
 * GPS - Global Positioning System
 * The device you have in your car of hold in your hand is a Global Positioning System Receiver or GPSr.
 * the GPSr is a device that can determine approximate location (within approximately 20-40 feet)
 * there are currently 27 satellites making up the Global Positioning System
 * The GPS'ers must be able to "communicate" with the satellites, therefore may not work inside buildings or between tall structures
 * Coordinates are usually given in Longitude and Latitude

=Why Use Geocaching in the Classroom:= = • =
 * The GPSr is a familiar piece of technology and can be found everywhere, in cars, cell phones, and hand-held devices.
 * Geocaching involves technology and being outside - a rare combination
 * The sport is one that the whole family can participate in.

=What are some ways to use geocaching in my classroom/media center?=
 * Great way to meet social studies objectives, and have fun too
 * Pair and or group the students to find caches hidden on your school grounds.
 * Parents and volunteers can help or you can use 1/2 of your class to hide the caches, the other half to find them.
 * Choose facts from any unit, put them in containers and hide them. Great way to introduce a unit or wrap one up.
 * How about a high-tech easter hunt?
 * Use travel bugs to learn about your state or U.S. or the world. We have two travel bugs - one with a goal of reaching all 100 counties of NC, the other to reach all 50 states.

=Want to know more about the sport? Go to these websites:= [|www.geocaching.com] [|http://earth.google.com] []

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 * Free download of "EarthCaching - An Educator's Guide" available at:**

Follow Petunia, our North Carolina travel bug –She’s out to visit all 100 counties of our state! [] Follow Petey, our U.S. travel bug – He’s out to see all 50 states! []
 * Follow our Travel bugs, Petey and Petunia:**

Fun with Parents:** images of parent-student workshop held one evening before Family Reading Night media type="custom" key="4663569"
 * Check out some pictures of geocaching fun at MES

media type="custom" key="4663579"
 * Teacher workshop:** images of teachers' workshop at MES

media type="custom" key="4663591"
 * Getting Ready to geocache** - images of containers, some fun hiding them, and students setting the GPSr

media type="custom" key="4663413"
 * Geocaching fun -** images of students finding a geocache near MES after school

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