As any teacher will tell you, math is often the least favorite subject of most students. One reason students struggle with math is that it often feels abstract to them. When applied in the real world, students begin to see that math is all around us in the physical world. By incorporating STEM learning into real-world experiences, teachers can help students connect mathematical concepts as they apply to their everyday lives in a fun, hands-on way. One engaging method is hosting a Math Scavenger Hunt—a creative activity that ties STEM learning to real-world applications or, as the students might say, IRL.
Envision by WorldStrides strives to be a partner and resource for teachers who are often maxed out with the rigors of their days but hoping to keep their students interested in STEM learning. This step-by-step guide to creating a math scavenger hunt has options for both elementary and middle school students. Grab our guide and pique the interest in your students’ interest in STEM learning through a fun and engaging hands-on activity.
Math Scavenger Hunt for Elementary School
This scavenger hunt is designed to help your elementary-age students have fun with STEM learning. Students will be challenged to find examples of mathematical concepts like counting, shapes, or fractions in everyday objects. This real-world approach to math is a perfect way to incorporate STEM learning into your curriculum, making abstract ideas concrete.
This list of math concepts and real-world examples can be adjusted to match your students’ abilities.
Elementary School Math Scavenger Hunt List
Math Principle: Counting in the Real World
Examples: Find multiple numbers of the same object, such as eggs in a carton, roses in a garden, or windows in a building.
Math Principle: Seeking Examples of Addition
Examples: Mom adds her money to Dad’s, two teams meet on a playing field, or new windows are added to a building under construction. Represent your find as an addition problem.
Math Principle: Subtraction Equations Abound
Examples: A sale sign says $5 off, trees are chopped down in a forest, or eggs are removed from a carton. Represent your find as a subtraction problem.
Math Principle: Seeking Shapes and Geometry
Examples: Windows, signs, pavers (rectangles), a ball (sphere), a plate (circle), or the triangle formed by a pool table rack. Identify how many shapes you can find and define them.
Math Principle: The Value of Knowing Fractions or Division
Examples: A sale sign offers 10% off, three eggs are missing from a carton, or you see half an apple or a section of an orange. Represent these as a division problem, fraction, or percentage.
Make Your Math Scavenger Hunt Fun and Stimulate STEM Learning
- Host a Show-and-Tell - You can end the Math Scavenger Hunt once students have completed their lists or extend the activity by asking them to explain how each item represents a math concept. They could write reports or present their findings to the class, like a STEM "show-and-tell."
- Offer an Award - For an extra layer of engagement, make it competitive! Award prizes for the most creative examples or the best presentations. This will enhance their understanding of how math fits into the real world, a core element of STEM learning.
Math Scavenger Hunt for Middle and High School
For older students, we recommend focusing on geometry and increasing the complexity by having them apply geometric principles to their scavenger hunt finds. This approach makes Math and STEM learning dynamic, asking students to not only find objects but to analyze how geometry works in these real-world examples and perform related calculations.
Most middle and high school students can use phones or cameras to document their findings. Alternatively, they can describe or sketch them. The key is to challenge them to understand geometry as a functional part of everyday life.
Provide a list of geometric terms (downloadable) and let students explore the world through the lens of geometry. You can hold a class discussion or encourage independent research on any unfamiliar terms before starting.
STEM Learning and Reporting
At this level, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of geometry through a more advanced analysis. They should select at least five objects from their scavenger hunt and include:
- A definition of the geometric term illustrated by the object.
- A description of how the object fits that term in mathematical terms.
- Calculations related to the object—such as area, angles, or other geometric functions.
A critical evaluation of the object, exploring why it was designed this way and its practical applications in STEM fields.
For example:
- Why are honeycombs composed of hexagons?
- Why must railroad tracks be parallel?
This open-ended report encourages critical thinking, a key component of STEM learning, and helps students explore the mathematical significance of their scavenger hunt finds.
Competitive STEM Learning
Adding an element of competition will engage students even more. Prizes could be awarded for:
- The most unique examples of geometric concepts
- The most thorough explanations
- The most creative presentations
These tips for creating a scavenger hunt will bring STEM learning to life, helping students see how math connects to the real world in a tangible, relevant way. By integrating STEM learning into your math curriculum, you give students a deeper appreciation of how these concepts apply to their lives. Activities like this scavenger hunt make math more engaging and concrete while also showing the real-world importance of skills for future problem-solving and career paths.
Envision by WorldStrides is passionate about guiding students each step of the way as they rise to their highest potential through transformative experiences. Our programs offer hands-on experiences that allow high schoolers to test the waters of possible career tracks in:
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