Museum Scavenger Hunts to Teach Research Skills and Support Problem-Based Learning Activities

Abstract

Museum scavenger hunts are not a new idea, but they can be adapted to many different majors--not just art or art history. As a criminology instructor leading a study abroad program in Central Europe I had students do a museum scavenger hunt to "trace" looted Nazi artwork and consider how to restitute the art to museums or (e.g.) the heirs of Jewish families. My poster will graphically depict what goes into a museum scavenger hunt and how it can be submitted for credit. This would include a pre-visit to see the artwork (or other objects) on display, selections of background reading, development of clues, questionnaire that students have to answer for credit, and a final paper prompt. If this idea is adaptable to a criminology program, it would certainly be adaptable to a science classroom, for instance.