Navigation with a global positioning system, or GPS, is moving out of the backcountry and into middle school physical education classes.

Chief Kanim Middle School physical education teachers Tony Schlotfeldt and Joyce Kjorsvik are using last spring’s tech levy funds to introduce students to GPS. In a pilot program this fall, sixth grade students have learned about satellites, mapping, parts and use of GPS and geocaching, an international treasure-hunting activity where cachers hide a “cache” or treasure to see if other cachers can find it.

Lessons in math, science, social studies, reading, language arts, art and technology are integrated across the curriculum. Students had the option to go on a geocaching field trip on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

Working with technology teacher Theresa Frank, Schlotfeldt and Kjorsvik are developing a spring pilot for seventh and eighth grade students. Then, they plan to show other teachers how to bring GPS into their own schools.