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Mission of the Month: November 2006
Think GIS!
When it comes to geographic information systems (GIS)—this month’s featured topic—we’re oceans away from the Mayflower. No doubt, the pilgrims’ voyage would have been much smoother with the help of today’s “smart mapping” technology.
As Turkey Day approaches, there’s no better time to celebrate our ever-changing New World. Together with geography buffs across the globe, you can take part in GIS Day—an annual tribute to GIS technology and its importance in everyday life.
To mark the occasion properly, give one or more of these tech-themed adventures a go. From hiding-and-seeking to treasure-hunting, each activity connects learners to the wide world of GIS.
On Your Marks
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Want to explore the planet vicariously and win a prize along the way? Then don’t miss The Great CYFERnet Travel Bug Race. Starting Nov. 1, youth and adult teams can tour the globe via their Travel Bug, a metal tag that allows contestants to follow their “hitchhiker” trinket. Hitchhikers may include everything from silver coins to plush penguins. A feature of Geocaching—the Global Positioning System (GPS)-based adventure game—contestants place their trinket in an official geocache, register online and track the little bugger as it moves from cache to cache (i.e., logbook to logbook, place to place, person to person) in the real world. The more miles your bug travels, the greater your chances of winning big. Read official rules. Register for the CYFERnet Travel Bug Race. |
Going Places
| Nebraska City’s Arbor Day Farm. Gettysburg’s Land of Little Horses. Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. These are just a few
favorite places of 4-Hers across the country. And, thanks to Youth Favorite Places (YFP),
each spot is on the 4-H map—major landmarks, best-kept secrets and everything in between. Launched in summer 2003, YFP gives young people
a chance to highlight their beloved haunts with colorful photos and descriptions. While playing tour guide, each youth also becomes
familiar with digital photography and GPS mapping, research and technical writing, database entry and other valuable skills. Read registration info. |
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Down to Earth
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You don’t need to go on an archeological dig to find the Earth’s hidden treasures. Through the process of EarthCaching, treasure hunters of all ages can discover ancient mountains, sunken forests and countless other gems.
Unlike Geocaches, which entail the hiding and seeking of man-made objects, EarthCaches already exist in the natural world.
Be it a fossil bed, a crater, a peninsula or another geological wonder, EarthCaches reveal how a place was formed and the scientific
value of that place. With little more than Internet access, a GPS receiver and a sense of adventure, EarthCachers get a “behind-the-earth”
view of Mother Nature’s marvels. In addition to learning about existing caches, youth/adult partners can teach others
about caches in their own community. Start Earthcaching.
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Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product or firm
in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by CYFERnet, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education
and Extension Service, or National 4-H Headquarters and does not imply
approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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