Mobile Scavenger Hunt - 70 kids and their smartphones in Stockholm

I have just checked the 32 pins one last time. Checked to see that they are pinned on the map at the correct spot to make it easy for the kids to find the exact location. 32 pins equals 32 stops on a two hour long Scavenger Hunt in Stockholm city with about 70 15-year olds. I believe it will be awesome with no problems at all. But yeah, it might also go down the drain and end up as a total fail.

The project outline

I am using a new US based startup called Pinwheel.com, a small company funded by companies such as Redpoint and Betaworks. The website is in beta stage at the moment. In Pinwheel you can pin notes to a map, upload photos and do all the necessary things you are used to do in a social geo location based "thingy" like this. It is easy, it is pretty and it is enough for me. 

I have pinned 32 pins to the map over Stockholm city.

Each pin has a question, tasks or an assignment for the students to answer or solve. 

At each pin, every group of students will have to upload a group photo to temporary Facebook group in order to get the "Group shot points". 

One photo of the group at the correct spot gives 10 or 15 points.

Correct answer on a question gives 2 points. 

The groups of students will have 2,5 hours to try to get to the 32 pins. 

Each group will have one or two "pilots". 

The pilots' duty is to navigate using their smartphones and to communicate with the group members and inform them about stops, pins, tasks etc. 

My role will be "God". I will take my seat at the Stockholm Central with my laptop and smartphone and monitoring the "game" via Pinwheel website, the Facebook group and check-ins. 

The purpose

Most importantly, the kids will and have realized that smartphones can be of a great use in education - there are teachers and educators who actually know, want and can use these high-tech devices in their teaching. Secondly, there is a learning idea behind the event. The students have to ask around, consult the Internet to find facts and information to complete the tasks and assignments. And not to forget, the students will have a good time exploring the city and a good way to finish school before mid-term break.

So how did it go?

Well, let's get back to that when I actually know. Stay tuned! It happens tomorrow!