GIFTS - Building Community and Campus Awareness with Photo Scavenger Hunts for First-Year Engineers

The first week of engineering labs coincide with the drop/add period which often leading to inconsistent attendance and a lack of early engagement. To encourage participation, foster a sense of belonging, and introduce key resources, we implemented an Engineering Photo Scavenger Hunt designed to get students actively exploring their academic environment. In teams of four to five, students navigated key spots in the School of Engineering, completing photo-based challenges at critical locations such as the Makerspace, Machine Shop, professor offices, computing labs, and study spaces. Required stops ensured students met key personnel and familiarized themselves with spaces. Prior to the event, faculty were informed and asked to leave their doors open to engage with students, fostering interaction and accessibility. Similarly, lab managers were briefed in advance and provided brief orientations to students about lab policies and resources, ensuring a welcoming environment. The activity encouraged students to interact with faculty and staff, explore lab policies, and learn about essential academic and professional development resources. Bonus points were awarded for creative poses and a winner was announced, adding a layer of friendly competition to the experience. Beyond orienting students to physical spaces, the scavenger hunt also served as a community-building exercise. Students worked together in a creative way, creating an immediate sense of teamwork and camaraderie. Informal feedback suggested that participants felt more comfortable navigating campus and reaching out to faculty after the activity. Additionally, the event provided excellent photo opportunities with dynamic images of students engaging in the challenge featured on social media, further reinforcing a sense of welcoming community within the School of Engineering. The photo scavenger hunt model can be easily adapted for different institutions, disciplines, or student populations to enhance early engagement and retention in engineering programs. Similar scavenger hunt activities have been successfully implemented by the author with a focus on campus sustainability resources and in a statics course to identify real-life reaction supports and connections. This paper details the design and implementation of the activity, discusses informal feedback and observations on its impact on student engagement, and offers practical insights for educators seeking to create interactive and meaningful first-year experiences.