GPS Adventures National Traveling Exhibit

GPS technology is changing the way we live. It can be found in surprising places from automobiles to cell phones and is the backbone of the global treasure hunting game called Geocaching. Geo-what-ing? “Geo-cashing.”

Enter the world of navigation and geocaching, opening the door to new and enriching life adventures.

Get lost in the GPS Adventures maze and learn how to find your way using GPS – global positioning systems! After navigating around impassable obstacles including waterfalls, cliffs, and ravines, solve cache (treasure) puzzles in four environments: city, local park, back-country and a historic site to find secret codes and gain access to each of four satellite rooms. Use a unique stamp card that leads you to your goal. Collect all 4 stamps, and your GPS unit will lock into 4 satellites to determine a location.

Through Geocaching, more than three million people have found the treasure of reconnecting with family, community and nature in a meaningful way.

The basic idea is to hide caches (treasures) and post the locations of these caches on the internet. Anyone with a GPS receiver can enter the location’s coordinates to find the caches.

It sounds easier than it is. The location may be difficult to get to or the cache may be well hidden. There may be a puzzle to solve or information to collect before you can calculate the final location. Or the first cache may contain the location of a second cache containing the location of a third and so on until you find the final cache.

This exhibit is included in general museum admission and is free for EP Members.

The Charitable Foundation

MKEC, Tom and Rose Gangel,

Tom and Colleen Dondlinger

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Live Science Show: Animal Magnetism with Shark Dissection

Saturdays at noon & 3 p.m., Sundays, 2:30 p.m.: Have you ever heard of a shark use GPS? At this live presentation learn how animals use magnetoreception to find their way around the globe. Included in general museum admission. Free for Members.

Girl Scout Patch Events, March 3 (Daisies), March 31 (Brownies), and May 11 (Juniors)

Each event is tailored for each scout level, centering on the GPS technology. Registration is required, through the Girl Scout office. For details click here.

Senior Wednesday, What's so Great About GPS?

March 28 • 1:30 p.m.: Where is all this technology going? Seniors will discover the possibilities that come with current technological advances and learn to program and update the GPS devices they might have received for Christmas. Admission: $4 (plus tax). For details click here.

Pirate Treasure Hunt Birthday Party Option:

Watch out Captain Jack Sparrow – our party goers are ready for an exciting adventure. Guests will learn to use a compass, create a pirate hat and go on a scavenger hunt to repossess stolen treasure! Click here for details or call 316-660-0620.

Wichita Geocaching Society exhibit and support:

The local geocaching club has created a special geocaching exercise inside the GPS exhibit to help you better understand geocaching. You’ll also be able to log onto geocaching.com and go on a real hunt for treasure – many caches are hidden in the downtown area! Club members will be on hand in the exhibit during the weekends to help enrich visitors’ understanding of this fun hobby.