GPS Activities for the Classroom

 

 

 

Short-Title of Activity	GPS activity with Waves
Target Grade(s)	10-12
Target Subject Area(s)	Waves/IPC Physics
TEKS	5B and 5C
Equipment/Materials	GPS, camera, internet (for research and google earth)
Author	Terra Payton

 

 

 

Activity Description: Describe in as much detail as possible.

 

 

 

What do you want the students to learn?

 

• Types of waves used for GPS
• How to use GPS
• How wave interactions aide/inhibit the GPS

 

 

 

Set-up

 

• You must find at least 3 locations prior and mark Coordinates and Elevation
• You must explain or provide explanation on how to track, mark and follow GPS

 

 

 

What steps will the students take?

 

See Below -

After reading the instructions on what the various screens do and how to use them, you will use the GPS, digital camera and your resources to find the following items.  You may want to use the Map screen and follow the arrow to find your destinations.  You will write down the corresponding information, mark the path in your GPS, take a digital photo and then answer the conclusion questions.

 

 

 

Place	Coordinates	Elevation	# of satellites	Time	Observation/ Image #
1. bench in picnic area
2.  bike rack area
3.  home plate in the baseball field

 

 

4. What types of waves are being used to relay the information to and from the satellites?

 

 

 

5. Explain how interference and angle of incidence/reflection play a part in the GPS’ accuracy.

 

 

 

6.  Pictures and Route in GPS must be shown and explained with above data.

 

 

Click the link for a student page of the activity ( GPS and waves )

 

 

 

Elementary GPS Lessons

Middle School GPS Lessons

High School GPS Lessons