The Value of Scavenger Hunts in the Life of a Freshman

摘要

Students acclimatizing themselves to the university usually find that discovery process to be a self-motivated activity. They wander about finding whatever they happen to be interested in or manage to accidentally encounter. These novices move about the university without anyone providing them any direction in their search. The problem with this method is that it simply becomes an activity that is hit or miss in allowing students to discover what the university really provides in the way of interesting pursuits and helpful means to accomplish one's final focus for career pursuit. Students reflect that when told to go places and find pertinent information about the location or the people who exist there, they comply with the assignment and in many cases find interests that they never imagined existed. By providing insights into locations on campus to visit and investigate, we can direct students with little force or effort. In order to accomplish both the connection to the university and something that will be retained by the students performing the activity, it has become common practice with our freshmen students to provide them with ample chances to participate in Scavenger Hunts across the College of Engineering and the entire campus. Details of these varied Scavenger Hunts, the benefits of the activities, and student reactions to the assignments will be reported.