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Experiment 27 v3
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Maths pirate scavenger hunt
Can you create and host a maths pirate scavenger hunt?
Purpose
This experiment gives children an opportunity to practise using measuring tools and answering maths questions.
The child will learn new social skill by hosting the game.
You need to know
- how to measure distances
- how to measure volume of a liquid
- how to measure the mass of an object
You will need
Steps
- Gather all necessary materials, measuring tools and instruments, and toys, especially those associated with pirates like gold coins, swords, muskets, and cannon balls (marbles).
- Decide whether you will have your pirates play as a group or as competitors.
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Come up with simple to hard maths problems that are suited to the abilities of the players you have in mind.
You may use the example quests given in the questions below or you could also adjust the level of difficulty to suit your players.
Create as many quests as you can. When it comes to treasure quests, the more the merrier!
- Use toys and other things that pirates use in their journeys as your treasures.
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Recruit other pirates including your friends, family or classmates to take part in your maths pirates scavenger hunt.
Ask them to wear their best pirate costumes!
- Reward your pirates for every completed quest. Reserve your best rewards for the harder quests.
- Have fun hosting your maths pirates scavenger hunt.
Keep safe!
Make sure you hide the treasures only in locations that your parent or guardian has allowed for use on this game.
Have an adult companion guide you when hiding the treasures to ensure safety for you and your players.
Questions
- Find me 65 pieces cannon balls (marbles)
- The time when I wake up
- 75 / 3 pieces gold coins
- A special sword with a mark indicating 1/10 in decimals
- 1/2 of a deck of cards
- A musket with a mark indicating the product of 1/4 x 20
- Find me a 120-gram fruit
- A 3-meter long rope
- 1 litre water
- Find me 2 + 2 x 2 - 2 / 2 treasure maps
Expected answers
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Scatter 100 marbles all over many hidden locations
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A clock showing the time 7:00 am
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Hide 25 coins in one or many spots
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A toy sword with 0.1 written on it
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26 playing cards
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A toy musket with 5 written on it
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A fruit weighing the given mass
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The ropes (pieces of string) can be out in the open, but pirates but will have them look for the hidden measuring tape
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Hide an empty 1-litre milk carton or water bottle
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5 treasure maps
Explore further (optional)
Create other quests based on other themes from your favourite books or films.
Tips for further exploration
Most themes can be turned into a scavenger hunt. Remember to make sure that the questions still need maths skills to solve.
