Earth Science - GPS Scavenger Hunt

Objective:

To continue learning about GPS, to apply the information from the "GPS Tutorial Activity", and to relate GPS to the study of latitude and longitude. 

Teaching Materials:

Student Materials:

Teacher’s Procedure:

  1. Give a mini-lesson about GPS; discuss with students how it works and what it is used for.
  2. Familiarize the student with the handheld GPS unit.
  3. Place a small colored flag at the start position.
  4. Allow students to do the scavenger hunt.

Student’s Procedure

  1. Each group of 2 -3 students will get a chance to either find a package, or determine the direction of North, South, East and West.
  2. The students will mark the start point on their map.
  3. The first group determines the North direction. This group will then check with the teacher to see if they are correct.   The group will then tell the whole class which way is North and how they figured it out using the GPS.
  4. The remaining groups will then use the given longitude and latitude coordinates and the GPS unit to find the packages located in the field.
  5. When the package is found, the students will map it on their worksheet, and be given a treat.
  6. During and after the activity the students are given a chance to ask questions about GPS, satellites, and latitude and longitude.
  7. Finally the students will answer the questions on the back of the map for homework.

Return to Lessons & Activities