AEE Heartland Activities

Explore within a Boundary

• Run the boundary of the space. Discuss what's inside and outside the boundary.

• Explore within the space - count the number of gopher holes. Return "home" upon a signal. 

• Orienteering is a game where you visit checkpoints shown on a map. What safety considerations might there be?

Clue Sheet Orienteering

• Each orange cone has a different baseball logo on it. Find and touch the cones that match the logos on your clue sheet in order, top to bottom. 

• Repeat. Did you do it faster?

• Repeat, from memory.

• Mystery clue sheet O

Geometric-O

• Find your cone and orient the map

• 5-control course; check your own codes

• 10-control course for the brave

Score-O

• Examine the map. Learn the map symbols. The control flags are hung at the center of each circle. What feature is each checkpoint at? What do the symbols in the control description table mean? What are some landmarks that you can use to orient yourself and the map? What observable information can you use to keep your bearings when you're out on the course? What are the boundaries of the "playing field"? Can you segment the map into a few areas with clear boundaries? (Like rooms in a house.) Turn the map over and make a rough sketch of key areas and features of the map.

• The map-maker has put the wrong code numbers in the clue description sheet! Your job is to fix as many as you can in the allotted time window. Your team must stay together at all times. At each checkpoint you will find a 2-digit code. Write the checkpoint number and code down. At the end we'll compare notes and see how many checkpoints each team was able to correct. 

  • Plan your route with your teammates. How will you change your plan if you start running short of time? 

  • Safety: Be safe crossing streets. Close gates behind you. Watch out for gopher holes. Keep track of time. Return to the Finish and check in when you're done.

• What happened on your outing? How did you work together as a team? What was surprising about the activity? What was challenging? What made it fun? What feelings did you have?

• What did you learn from the experience? How did you learn it? How does it relate to other areas of life or learning?

• What would you do differently next time? How might you use an exercise like this in your program? What learning goals could be addressed with this activity? How might you change the activity?