What is a Global Positioning System (GPS)?

GPS is a U.S. spaced-based satellite navigation system that provides positioning, navigation and time information to users. The use of global positioning systems is freely available to those who possess receivers.  It provides location and weather facts [day or night] anywhere in the world.

 It is made up of three parts:

1. Satellites orbiting the Earth.
2. Control and monitoring stations on earth.
3. The GPS receivers owned by users (in cars, hand held, or in phones).

How does it work?      

24 satellites orbit the earth. Each takes 12 hours to orbit. GPS satellites broadcast radio signals to earth from space that are picked up and identified by GPS receivers. Each receiver provides 3D location (Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude) plus the time.

What are they used for?

Transportation systems worldwide.

Providing navigation for aviation, ground, and maritime operations.

Disaster relief and emergency services (such as earthquakes).

Every day activities (banking, mobile phones, control of power grids).

Use in the Classroom…   

Teachers can use GPS systems to show their classrooms how to navigate through the school, or outside for earth science activities such as Earth Quest.

Students can use GPS systems in several ways in the classroom. Students can find their way around the school, finding hidden objects, amazing race game, and mapping!

Links for your use!

www.geocaching.com

www.Educaching.com

GPS Defintion 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/longitude/gps.html (an online GPS game).

GPS Activities

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m4N9pHyjLs

More GPS Fun 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBQU9c72nCo

What is GPS?

GPS Tutorial

Earth Quest Project