Geocaching Unit

Introduction to Geocaching

~Geocaching is a great way to add some more fun and exploration into your outdoor recreation. Geocaching is an activity that utilizes a GPS (Global Positioning System) to find a "cach" at particular coordinates. A cach is something left at a specific location for geocachers to find. It is most often a container with items inside and a list for visitors to write their names. These types of caches are the most popular, but there are also other types. You can find out more about geocaching at www.geocaching.com, and create a free account!


What I've Learned

~I've definitely improved my skills using GPS during this unit. I have a better idea of how to move through the menus and selections, and can do it much faster than before. I have learned how to use a GPS before learning about it in this unit, but it was a very useful review!
~I learned a lot more about geocaching. I made an account on geocaching.com and know how to find information and coordinates of caches. I also learned that you should try to find caches that have been found by other people recently. If they have not, it may have been removed or relocated.


My Groups' Geocaching Results

~On the first hunt, my group did not find one cach. The biggest reason for this was poor planning. We didn't know where the coordinates were when we chose the points. We entered some of them into the GPS after we left the classroom. We thought that on of the caches was at 5 Graves, but all of the ones we chose turned out to be in the Makena/La Perus area. We searched too broad of an area for caches online.
~The second time, all three caches that we chose were in Kihei, but we could not find any of them. We did have a forth cache near the Wailea Fire Department, which we were able to find. Good thing too; it was our last hope!

Termite Colony Observations

<< Sketch of initial jar setup.

Materials used:

• About 1" x 1" x 1/4" piece of Douglas Fir wood
• 120 grams silica sand
• 18 ml of water
• termites

Changes in the Habitat Over Time:

Substrate(sand)-During the month after the jar was set up, tunnels were built in the sand. The tunnels were not strong enough to hold when the jar was shaken up. Some tunnels were rebuilt in the sand after that.
Piece of wood-I saw little, to no, change in the wood. I believe the termites did build a tunnel to the wood though.
Moisture content-All the water was pored on one side of the sand. The moisture was eventually soaked up by the rest of the sand. The wood looked a little moist.
Termite activity level-When the termites were first put in, they were scrambling all over the sand and wood in the jar. After the first few weeks, there were less of them that could be seen, because there were probably many in the tunnels. After the jar was shaken, I could see even less termites and they seemed to be busy at work. On the last observation, I saw the least termites and they were either moving very slowly, or not moving at all. :(

Impact of Human Interaction: The jar being shaken demolished their termite town. the tunnels were gone, and the sand surface was a steep slope. The termites were scrambling around the surface. I think they were communicating and trying to figure out how to rebuild the tunnels. I could see less termites.






My opinion on the termite unit: Studying termites was very interesting. Before this unit, I knew very little about them. I didn't realize the organization of the colony. I just knew that they eat wood, look like ants, and sometimes have wings. I think my favorite part was looking at the live protozoa through the microscope. That was the first time I ever watched any live micro-organisms in person. I can't think of any particular thing that I disliked most. The information I learned has already come in handy. I was looking at a house for sale with my family and saw that there were termites by some frass in the downstairs bathroom. I was fascinated by this unit and enjoyed it very much! :)

The Scary Engulfing Plankton Net

Purpose of this tool: To collect plankton and other interesting micro specimen from water.

How to use it:
1. Remove cap from sample vial.
2. Slowly lower net into water.
3. Drag net through water until a reasonable amount of organic material is caught in it.
4. Quickly pull net out of water and let drain.
5. Spray outside of net with fresh water.
6. Cap sample vial and pull out of net.