Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
12/20/02
Contacts:
Jay Staker, Extension-Science, Engineering, and Technology, (515) 294-8417,
jstaker@iastste.edu
Carol Ouverson, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-9640, couverso@iastate.edu
Tracy S. Petersen, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-9915
4-H Kits Teach Students the Latest in Navigational Technology
AMES, Iowa -- When Northview Middle School science teacher Morgan Masters
teaches a unit on mapping, his students don't just pore over atlases.
They go outdoors and use compasses and global positioning systems (GPS).
And lucky for Masters, who teaches in Ankeny, he simply opens a kit of
equipment, topographic maps and lesson plans developed by Iowa State University
Extension's 4-H Youth Development program, Extension-Science, Engineering,
and Technology (E-SET).
"I've used the kit twice, and we may get our own," Masters
said. "The kids really like it because they get outside and it's
something new."
The kit was developed by E-SET to teach students how GPS works and its
many applications. GPS, which uses satellites and receivers to measure
time and distance, is used in everything from rental cars (to track where
they have been driven) to road construction. Perhaps one of the best-known
applications is car navigation systems.
"It shows where you are and how to get to where you want to go,"
Masters said. After learning the basics of compasses, the students do
simplified geocaching exercises in which they use GPS to find hidden prizes.
The exercises are so popular, Masters is thinking of developing an evening
event in which parents of the middle schoolers can take a crack at GPS
mapping and tracking.
To date, more than 1,200 Iowa students have used the kits developed by
E-SET. Borrowers of the kits must first undergo training by E-SET staff.
"We've held training session all across the state," Jay Staker,
E-SET program director, said. "We've trained extension staff, agriculture,
science, math and geography teachers, county conservation personnel, and
nature mappers."
Currently about 10 kits are available across the state and E-SET is putting together 10 more. So far the feedback on the kits is overwhelmingly positive, and the applications teachers are finding are "amazing," Staker said.
As for Staker himself, he has a personal favorite use for the technology:
ice fishing.
"You can use it to mark good fishing spots, and it's great for finding
your location on a lake on a dark and snowy night," he said.
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