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*** [[[ WHERE AM I? (GPS NAVIGATION) ]]] ***
"The European Union agreed on March 26, 2002 to fund
a multi-billion-dollar satellite navigation system to
help users from car drivers to yachtsmen find out where
they are in the world. The system, called Galileo,
will rival the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS)..."
That announcement suggests a Nugget... aimed at middle-
grade Social Studies teachers as well as teachers of Space
Science. Here are a few Web resources for teaching about
Global Positioning Systems. Latitude and longitude are
much more engaging topics if the students are using GPS.
INTRODUCTIONS/TUTORIALS
"How Stuff Works" has a breezy, readable digest
of how the hand-held GPS receivers work. Frequent ads.
Trimble makes GPS receivers. Their GPS tutorial
uses fewer words and better graphics to teach GPS
concepts. Adult level but easy to grasp. No ads.
CLASS PROJECTS
Very simple class demonstration from the Gulf of
Maine aquarium. Uses no GPS equipment. Students
act like GPS satellites to locate a lost hunter at
the front of the classroom. Looks appropriate for
grade 3 and up.
If you can borrow a few GPS receivers, here are lesson
plans for using them with a class of students.
Last year, the State of Delaware posted this lesson
for grades 3-5: "Where in the world is my school?"
Student teams use GPS receivers to determine the
latitude and longitude of the school's front door,
then map the school's outside walls.
Another GPS lesson plan, this time for Grades 7-8.
Students use GPS receivers to design treasure hunts.
DETAILED REFERENCE
A reputable site by Prof. Peter Dana, Department of
Geography, University of Texas at Austin.
That newly announced Galileo navigation system from
the European Union.
My thanks to Dave Rogers for this Network Nugget.
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