Using Free Quests as Lessons to Teach Core Subjects with Excavating Adventures
As educators, finding new and engaging ways to teach subjects like geology, paleontology, and meteorology can be challenging. However, with the right resources, you can create an immersive learning experience that not only engages your students but also fosters a love of learning. Excavating Adventures offers a unique solution with free online quests that align with core science subjects, allowing students to learn interactively and hands-on through a combination of digital adventures and physical excavation kits.
If you're new to Excavating Adventures, this guide will walk you through how to incorporate these free quests into your classroom lessons and seamlessly transition from digital learning to real-world digging. Not only will your students gain knowledge, but they’ll also get to apply what they’ve learned to solve challenges, earn points, and unlock the thrill of excavation.
1. What Are Excavating Adventures Quests?
Excavating Adventures quests are interactive, online learning experiences that align with a wide range of science topics. Each quest is designed to immerse students in an adventure, with puzzles, riddles, and challenges that reinforce their understanding of the subject. Quests cover everything from geology and weather to paleontology and oceanography, and they serve as excellent introductory lessons for your classroom curriculum.
Each quest has an adventure theme, allowing students to navigate a virtual world using the information they've learned. Along the way, they answer questions and solve challenges to progress, which helps them deepen their understanding of the topic in a fun, engaging format.
2. How to Use Free Quests to Teach Core Subjects
The first step in integrating Excavating Adventures into your classroom is using the free quests as part of your lesson plan. These quests offer an excellent way to introduce or reinforce topics in a hands-on, interactive way that complements traditional learning methods.
Here’s how you can get started:
a. Choose a Relevant Quest:
Select a quest that aligns with the subject you’re currently teaching. Whether it’s geology for rock formation, paleontology for fossils, or meteorology for weather patterns, there’s a quest for every core subject. The quests are designed to be flexible, so you can use them as a standalone lesson or as a supplement to your current teaching materials.
b. Introduce the Topic in Class:
Before diving into the quest, provide your students with an overview of the topic. Discuss key concepts and vocabulary they’ll need to know for the quest. This step prepares them to navigate the virtual adventure confidently and ensures that they’re familiar with the subject matter.
c. Let Students Explore the Quest Independently or in Groups:
Once your students are ready, let them explore the quest either individually or in small groups. They’ll encounter puzzles, multiple-choice questions, and other interactive elements that encourage them to apply what they’ve learned. As they progress, they’ll use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to advance in the adventure.
d. Reinforce Learning with Class Discussions:
After the quest, hold a class discussion to reinforce the key concepts your students encountered during the adventure. Ask them to share their experiences, the challenges they faced, and what they learned. This helps solidify the knowledge and ensures that students fully grasp the topic.
3. Transitioning from Digital to Physical: The Dig Kit Experience
One of the most exciting aspects of Excavating Adventures is that the learning doesn’t stop with the online quest. After completing the quest, students get the chance to put their knowledge to use with a physical dig kit that coincides with the adventure.
Here’s how you can smoothly transition from the digital quest to the physical excavation:
a. Completing the Quest Unlocks the Dig Kit:
Each quest is designed to unlock a physical component—the excavation dig kit. Once students finish the online adventure, they’ll use the knowledge they’ve gained to navigate the physical dig. This hands-on activity helps them connect their learning from the virtual environment to a real-world experience.
b. The Educational Value of Dig Kits:
Each Excavating Adventures dig kit is filled with real specimens such as rocks, fossils, minerals, and more. The process of excavating, identifying, and analyzing these specimens adds a tangible element to the lesson, making it even more engaging for students.
c. Knowledge-Based Navigation:
As students unearth their specimens, they’ll apply the information they learned during the quest. For example, if they’ve completed a geology quest, they’ll use their knowledge of rock types and formations to identify the specimens they find in their kits.
4. Gamifying the Experience: Earn Adventure Points
Another key feature of the Excavating Adventures model is gamification. As students complete quests, they earn Adventure Points, which they can redeem for more dig kits or rewards. This points system motivates students to keep learning and exploring long after they’ve completed their first kit.
a. Encourage Ongoing Learning:
By integrating points and rewards into the learning process, you can encourage your students to continue their educational journey. They’ll be excited to earn more points and unlock additional kits, keeping them engaged in the subject matter over time.
b. Competitive Learning:
You can even introduce a little friendly competition into the classroom by encouraging students to compete for points. This gamification adds an extra layer of excitement to the learning process, making it more dynamic and interactive.
5. Join the Excavating Adventures Educators Facebook Group
It’s important to stay connected with a community of like-minded educators who are also using Excavating Adventures in their classrooms. Joining the Excavating Adventures for Educators Facebook group provides a platform for teachers to share tips, get advice, and collaborate on creative ways to implement quests and kits.
a. Access to Free Resources and Exclusive Content:
By joining the group, you’ll gain access to exclusive free content, ongoing giveaways, and expert advice on how to create the best educational experiences using the kits.
b. Collaborative Learning:
The Facebook group also fosters a sense of community. You can share your own classroom success stories, seek feedback, and learn from the experiences of others who have found unique ways to use Excavating Adventures to engage their students.
6. Final Thoughts
Excavating Adventures quests are a fantastic tool to enrich your science curriculum with immersive, hands-on learning experiences. By using these free quests to introduce core subjects, you’ll not only engage your students in a meaningful way but also give them the opportunity to apply their knowledge in an exciting physical excavation. And with the added benefit of Adventure Points and rewards, you can keep them motivated to explore and learn more about the world around them.
Don’t forget to join the Excavating Adventures Educators Facebook group for more ideas, tips, and a supportive community of teachers who are bringing the wonders of excavation into their classrooms.