Virtual Math Scavenger Hunt: Learn About Math in Nature
This simple virtual math scavenger hunt includes everything your kids need to research and learn about math in nature, using the links provided.
As a classroom teacher, I was occasionally given computer lab days. This was quite a long time ago, and there were not as many online games and interactive lessons at the time, so we would sometimes use these days to complete a ‘webquest.’ A webquest was essentially an online scavenger hunt, and my students (high school) would go on a quest to learn about cool math topics like the golden ratio or famous mathematicians. Now that schools are closed and kids are learning from home, I thought, “Why not bring back the math webquest??” And so this virtual math scavenger hunt was born.
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Virtual Math Scavenger Hunt: Discovering Math in Nature
This online scavenger hunt can be completed by kids in 3rd or 4th grade up through middle school.
Please note, however, that I do not recommend kids complete the activity without adult supervision.
By using the links provided, kids will learn about math in space, fibonacci numbers, hexagons, fractals and concentric circles.
If you would rather kids not use the internet links to research, you could find picture books on each topic using your local library or a virtual library like Epic!
This challenge is not meant to be incredibly taxing or time consuming. My hope is that it will spark genuine interest and excitement in your students about topics you may not normally have time for in the classroom.
There is a single page with 5 questions for each math in nature topic. There are then only 2 or 3 links provided to find the answers.
How to Complete This Scavenger Hunt:
There are 5 topics to explore in this virtual math scavenger hunt. I suggest focusing on one topic per day for 5 days.
To get kids started, they will need the page of links and the scavenger hunt worksheets to fill in. You are welcome to share this resource via Google Classroom if that would be helpful.
Or if it’s easier, you can email the links to parents, and simply email the questions for the day. Students can then search for the answer at the links provided and write their solutions on a blank piece of paper.
Each day, students then go to the links included to read about math in nature topics and fill in their scavenger hunt questions.
A few things to note about the links:
- All the information can be found on the direct link pages. There is no need to click to other pages on the respective websites
- I tried to find pages that do not have ads, but some of these pages do show ads
- PLEASE make sure there is adult supervision so that kids do not click to other pages on the internet
Again, if your kids are younger, and you would rather they not be using the internet links, I would encourage reading picture books to find the answers.
Get Outside to Explore Math in the Real World!
Although I created this activity as a way to encourage math enrichment and ‘virtual’ learning, this study is really not complete until you get outside to see it yourself.
Every scavenger hunt page encourages kids to get outside and look for examples of these shapes and patterns in their own backyard once they’ve read about them online.
I would encourage them to use the back of their scavenger hunt page to draw pictures or make a list of the examples they see.
(The only exception here is math in space–encourage them to think about other ways math is seen and used in outer space. You might also incorporate Storytime from Space read alouds. My kids LOVE these!)
To see more pictures and examples, see this article, full of beautiful math in nature pictures.
Complete Math in Nature Enrichment Set:
If your kids enjoy this and want more hands on lessons and information about these different topics, you may like my complete enrichment curriculum. (Ages 9-12)
This can be used a variety of ways:
- A full day of activities for 5 days (one topic per day)
- Spread each topic out over a week (one topic per week for 5 weeks)
- Mixed in with other math studies throughout the year, however works best for you!
Learn more about the Math in Nature Lessons HERE
If you’re ready to get started with the virtual math scavenger hunt, use the form below and it will be sent straight to your inbox! I hope this is a fun math enrichment activity for your kids!
