Part 3 - Mark Waypoints with GPS

Step 1 – Prepare to Mark Waypoints

In this section of the activity you will use a GPS, go outside, and mark the waypoints for litter and trashcans found around the site of your choice.

1. Decide on the distribution and quantity of litter necessary to be considered as a waypoint before collecting waypoints. For example consider the following:
   • If there are three bottle caps on the ground, will that be 3 waypoints, or will that be one?
   • Decide how far apart each piece of litter needs to be from one another to be considered a separate waypoint. If the three bottle caps were within 20cm, would that be different than if they were separated by 1 meter ? Note: Be sure to consider the precision of your unit when making this decision; most units cannot resolve points that are so close together.
   • Look at the picture below. Discuss the following questions: How many pieces of litter is this? Will this be one waypoint, or three?
     
     
     
     
     
2. If working in groups, decide who will a) mark the waypoints, b) record the data, c) be the litter scout, and d) take pictures of the litter.
   
3. Optional: Click on this link to download a data recording sheet (Acrobat (PDF) 36kB Sep28 10) (in PDF) for use in this exercise.
   
4. If you haven't already done so, exit out of Demo mode by turning the GPS off. Once outside, turn on the GPS on and wait until the GPS has a good signal from at least four satellites.
   Show me what this looks like
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   Image of Satellite Screen of GPS with good reception from 5 satellites. Note the height of the bars. Additional satellites, beyond 4, increase the accuracy and precision of the GPS unit.
   
   
5. If necessary, clear previous Waypoints on the GPS unit.
   Show me how to clear previous waypoints
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   1. Use the Page Button to cycle through the pages, until you reach the Trip Computer page.
   2. On the Trip Computer page, toggle the clickstick to the left, and click once to select the Reset option.
      
      
   3. On the Reset page, scroll down the list and highlight select all.
      
      
   4. Scroll down and select Apply then click once with the clickstick.
      
      The GPS will confirm that you want to delete all waypoints, click once to agree.
      
      

   
   

Step 2 – Mark Waypoints of Litter

1. Most GPS units have an antenna located such that the unit functions best when held parallel to the ground with the screen facing the sky. For best results, be sure to keep the GPS in this position.
2. Mark the waypoints of litter and trash cans in addition to recording the data on a data sheet. Pick up the litter and dispose of it in a trash can. Collect at least 10 litter data points.
   Show me how to mark a waypoint
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   1. To set a new waypoint, click and hold the clickstick. The Mark Waypoint page will come up.
   2. The GPS will give a number to the waypoint. This can be edited to a more useful name by using the ClickStick to change the name. However, for this activity, accept the default number for each waypoint and click OK to save the waypoint. Be sure to fill in the number of the waypoint and the coordinates on the Data Sheet when collecting data.
   3. Click OK to store the waypoint.
      
3. Periodically, use Find to check the waypoint list to be sure that the litter waypoints are being recorded and saved.
4. If working in a group, rotate jobs amongst the team so that everyone tries each task.
5. When you are done recording data, return to the central location designated by your instructor.