GPS: hands-on session set for Monday

If you often ask yourself “Where am I?” an upcoming free lecture and learning session is perfect for you. University of Alaska Geography Program faculty and staff John Bailey, Amy Rath, and Katie Kennedy will explain the origins and workings of global positioning systems at a lecture and workshop Monday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in Room 201, Reichardt Building. This free lecture will include a demonstration of how to use GPS devices, followed by a treasure hunt. GPS units will be available for loan (with appropriate ID). Fun prizes will be given to the winners.

First there is a brief lecture on the workings of GPS, its use, and some applications for the waypoint data/tracklogs. This will be followed by a geocaching activity where young people and their parents will romp around near the Reichardt Building in search of locations of caches using hand-held GPS instruments. Geolocated photographs will be posted at a special website. (Google Earth plug-in required).

Bailey is a post-doctoral fellow with the Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning, Kennedy is the UAGP education and outreach coordinator, and Rath is a 2010 geography program graduate. (Pictured from left are Kennedy, Bailey, Rath.)

The event is part of the Monday Marvels series, a free hands-on session and lecture series presented by UAF Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning and the Alaska Summer Research Academy.