Academic Treasure Hunt

Academic Treasure Hunt is similar to a conventional treasure hunt, except that the clues require knowledge of various academic subjects in order to locate the next clue or the treasure itself. An example of such a clue is the following: “From your present location, proceed north x meters, where x is calculated as follows: Subtract the year that the Declaration of Independence was signed from the year that the Gettysburg Address was delivered, and divide the result by the number of cups in a gallon. Round off to the nearest tenth of a meter. You will find your next clue under a rock at that location.”

An Academic Treasure Hunt can be conducted in a classroom setting in order to motivate the students to learn their subject material. While the game lends itself to being played by teams, it can be played by individual players as well. The setting of the treasure hunt can be a classroom, a large room such as a gymnasium, a playground, or a park.

Prior to the beginning of the treasure hunt, the clues and the treasure are placed in the appropriate positions on the location at which the treasure hunt is to be conducted. The “treasure” placed on location may either be the prize or a note describing the prize. The person or persons coordinating the treasure hunt need to be knowledgeable regarding the rules so that they can explain the rules to the players (i.e., the treasure hunters).

At the beginning of the treasure hunt, the coordinator explains the rules and provides each team or individual player with a map of the area. The coordinator decides what resources are to be available to the players (e.g., books or access to the internet). Optionally, the coordinator (e.g., teacher) may divide the players (e.g., students) into teams. The players are then assembled at the starting location. If there are no further questions, the players are given the “go” signal and begin the treasure hunt. The first player or team to locate the treasure is the winner and receives the prize.