Can you really use library resources to learn to make the perfect cup of coffee? Of course. The Lichtenberger Engineering Library at the University of Iowa designed an augmented reality scavenger hunt in which students help a cartoon detective make the perfect cup of coffee while learning about the library’s resources in a fun, engaging way.
The scavenger hunt was created using video creation software (GoAnimate), a software app (HP Reveal) and text messaging triggers (SpringShare’s LibChat). To begin the scavenger hunt, students downloaded the HP Reveal app and saved the library’s text message number in their phones. They then helped the cartoon detective find a book about coffee beans and making the perfect cup of coffee, scanned a new coffee cup on the 3D scanners, searched for an article about optimum coffee temperature, and checked out a thermal imaging camera to monitor the coffee temperature. The last step was to stop by the librarian’s office to pick up a travel coffee mug for completing the search.
The hunt was first used during 2018 fall orientation and again at the end of the semester as part of a class assignment. One major lesson learned was that managing 350 students all trying to do the same thing in less than two hours is difficult. Improvements have been made for future scavenger hunts.
This scavenger hunt walked the new students through all parts of the library, informed them of the library’s text message number, services and resources, and gave them a chance to have a little fun along the way.
Kari Kozak is the Director of the Lichtenberger Engineering Library at The University of Iowa. She provides instruction, reference, and consultation services to student, faculty, and staff within the departments and research centers in the College of Eng
Are you a researcher? Would you like to cite this paper? Visit the ASEE document repository at peer.asee.org for more tools and easy citations.
