SOU Scavenger Hunt teaches academic skills to pre-college youth
Middle and high school students from across the southern Oregon region recently competed in the annual Scavenger Hunt event held by SOU’s Office of Youth Programs. Scavenger Hunt is a three-day academic “hunt,” in which students search for answers to clues provided by the hunt’s director, Jim Impara. Answers to the dozens of questions provided are found through research on the internet or in local community settings.
The following week, the students gather for a one-day adjudication portion on the SOU campus. Students defend their answers during the adjudication, and argue against their competitors’ findings in front of a moderator and adjudication judges. To earn points from their competitors, students must show proof of their evidence through detailed research and proper citations. Students can rebut the findings of opponents in other schools by respectfully articulating why they should earn more points based on their own evidence.
Students participating in the Scavenger Hunt can also improve their positions by using “bring ins” – materials that they bring to the adjudication to present to judges. For example, a recent “bring in” list encouraged students to “Find a dinosaur or extinct creature that lived in this area and make a recreation of it using crafts, food or costumes.” The students were also asked to present information to the judges about the creatures they chose.
The Scavenger Hunt event, held each year in November and December, benefits students by teaching them to access and critically analyze sources of information, support teamwork in an academic arena, and engage in civil discourse and respectful argumentation skills. The hunt provides a safe place to learn and develop important educational skills that can be used later in life.
A middle school participant wrote that “coming to SOU to defend our answers” was the best part of the program. Another 6th-grader from Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill wrote that they “love the way that Scavenger Hunt not only challenges our thinking skills, but brings students closer together”.
Results
The middle and high school teams with the most points at the end of the competition are declared the winners and awarded a traveling trophy. The program has grown significantly since its inception 42 years ago, with a total of 23 middle and high schools competing this year. Logos Charter School of Medford earned first place for the high school and middle school Division A portions, while Medford’s Oakdale won the middle school Division B competition.
Academic Competitions
Middle and high school students have the opportunity to take part in a number of academic competitions presented by SOU Youth Programs throughout the year. In addition to the Scavenger Hunt, the program offers the Best of the Best Art Show, Brain Bowl and the Southern Oregon Mathletes League (offered through the SOU Mathematics Department).
To learn more about SOU’s Youth Programs competitions, visit youth.sou.edu/academics.
