Connect the Stars: Academic Program
TITLE: Geocaching Texas
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE OF PROGRAM:
In the book, Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos, her characters learn survival skills at a
camp out in West Texas. Taking the idea from a scene where the characters have to navigate
their way through the terrain to find a goal, students in your class will be using GPS to find
information about their content.
TEKS:
Texas History Geography: using tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data
7.8A, 7.8B
Geography: understands the location and characteristics of places and regions of Texas
7.9A, 7.9B, 7.9C
Social Studies Skills: uses problem-solving and decision-making skills, working independently
and with others, in a variety of settings
7.23A, 7.23B
Science Scientific investigation and reasoning:
6.1A, 6.2A, 6.2B, 6.3A, 6.3B, 6.3C, 6.4A, 7.1A, 7.2A, 7.2B, 7.3A, 8.1A, 8.2A, 8.2B, 8.3A,
8.3B, 8.3C, 8.4A
Earth and space:
6.10B, 6.11A, 7.8A, 7.8B, 8.7A
Organisms and environments:
6.12F, 7.10A, 7.10B, 7.11A, 7.11B, 8.11A, 8.11B, 8.11C
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM:
Using geocaching coordinates based on the geography on and around your school campus,
create a course that will have students utilizing gps/compass technology to find hidden caches
which give in-depth information about the geographical areas of Texas. (This activity could be
used with any content area, just switch out the cache for each location based on content
learning objectives.)
LESSON:
This specific lesson focuses on the geographic areas of Texas. There are four caches, one for
each geographical area of Texas: Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains,
and Coastal Plains regions.
Objecitve:
The student will be able to use GPS coordinates to locate hidden caches that provides
information abou
Demonstrate: teach how to use GPS device to find something in the classroom (for example:
window, door, closet, teaching station, bookshelf)
Guided Practice: ask students to find several locations in the school using GPS coordinates and
device (for example: library, cafeteria, gym, office)
Self Practice: students (individually or as a group) are given a set of coordinates around campus
that have hidden caches that have QR codes for content information. In this instance, use the
attached QR codes (ConnectTheStarsAPCacheQRcodes.doc) to hide in the different caches.
 Using GPS device locate four spots around the campus (indoors and/or outdoors) to get
coordinates to share with students; hide caches in these areas
 Provide students with a copy of the attached Geographical Handbook to take
(ConnectTheStarsAPgeohndbk.doc) notes in
 Use gps device to locate coordinates and find caches
 Use QR reader to gather information about content (if teachers and/or students do not
have the devices/capability to read QR codes, provide webpage content in print form)
 Return to class and share findings
SUPPLIES:
GPS receiver or phones with GPS or Compass app
Containers for caches
QR code reader app
Curriculum links
Geographical Handbook (print using booklet option)
Cache QR Codes
PROGRAM RELATED BOOKS TO DISPLAY OR BOOK TALK:
Hengel, Katherine. Cool Maps & Geocaching: Great Things to Do in the Great Outdoors.
Minneapolis: Abdo, 2016. Print.
Quinlan, Julia J. GPS and Computer Maps. New York: PowerKids, 2012. Print.
Rajczak, Michael. Texas Geography. New York: PowerKids, 2014. Print.
Sturm, Jeanne. GPS: Global Positioning System. Vero Beach, FL: Rourke, 2011. Print.
Wade, Mary Dodson. All around Texas: Regions and Resources. Chicago: Heinemann Library,
2004. Print.
RESOURCES (print and electronic):
Geocaching
GPS&GIS Lesson Plans http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classgpslsn.html
Geocaching https://www.geocaching.com/education
Wikipedia: Geocaching https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching
QR Codes
Google App QR Code Generator https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-qr-codegenerator/gcmhlmapohffdglflokbgknlknnmogbb?hl=en
QR Code Generator http://www.qr-code-generator.com/
Geography of Texas
The Four Regions of Texas http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=41216
Region of Texas (ppt)
http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/eclark/files/regions%20of%20texas.ppt
Gulf Coast http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/gulf_coast/big_kids/
South Texas Plains http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/south_texas/big_kids/
Piney Woods http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/pineywoods/big_kids/
Big Bend Country http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/big_bend/big_kids/
Panhandle Plains http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/panhandle/big_kids/
Hill Country http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/hill_country/big_kids/
Prairies and Lakes http://tpwd.texas.gov/kids/about_texas/regions/prairies_and_lakes/big_kids/
You Tube: 4 Regions of Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSDYVOL11aw&list=PLZcinnyjIlv4MZZF8v1gicGN9wxF
cIuF1&index=2
You Tube: Regions of Texas Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD4L-zb-ysA
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES (for librarian and teacher use)
GPS Lesson Plans http://www.gis2gps.com/GPS/lessonplans/gpsplans.htm
Using GPS and Geocaching Engages, Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and
Students http://alicechristie.org/pubs/E6/index.html
PROGRAM TEMPLATES, RUBRICS, ETC.
Geographical Booklet
Cache QR Codes