LFS Lesson Plan
GPS Intro
Unit EQ: How are technological Systems Different?
LEQ: How is a GPS like a closed loop system?
Activating Strategies: 8 Minute Video.
Acceleration/Previewing/Vocabulary:
Waypoint, Latitude, Longitude, degrees, minutes, seconds, satellite
Teaching Strategies and Distributed Guided Practice/Summarizing Prompts:

Show "Shape of the World" DVD with Danny Glover. Review concepts:
  • 24 satellites
  • 10,000 miles up
  • 3 for fix.
  • Radio sigal travels 186,000 miles per second with time coded signal.
  • Each Satellite tells you how far away from them you are, when you get 3 your can tell exactly where you are.
  • Developed by Pentagon during Cold War.
  • Used in Cell Phones and car navigation systems and for surveying.
Demonstrate GPS units
  • Turning on and off - 3 second push on button.
  • Page (escape) through screens to Menu
  • Scroll down to mark.
  • Write down Lat/Long and PRESS Enter (kids mark, but don't store location by pressing enter)
  • How to select Waypoints from the Menu Page. (press enter on waypoint until displayed)
  • Select GOTO
  • Using Scroll to display Latitude and Longitude from navigation screen.
  • How to erase waypoints.
Summarizing Strategies:
Return to classroom and discuss how GPS is closed loop. Note how it detects change of location and updates speed and location automatically. The GPS can be used to sense location and control other systems as well.
Homework:
None