A group of Moline middle school students joined in a treasure hunt to learn a new set of scientific skills.
About 60 John Deere Middle School students came together on Saturday, April 13 in fields surrounding their school to hunt for coins. The self-named "Spartan Treasure Hunters" used metal detectors to search for dimes and nickels hidden among four fields.
The exercise was a hands-on way to teach map skills, soil science, writing, data analysis and graphing as they looked for treasure Saturday morning.
According to Site Coordinator, Chad Potter, the students are part of the Lights ON for Learning group; a partnership-program between John Deere Middle School, Lights On 21st Century, Minelab USA, and SW Supplies and Prospecting.
Along with the hunt, representatives from Minelab USA had set up a station for parents and teachers demonstrating more about metal detecting as a hobby.
Potter said after this first run, the school is planning to create a metal detecting club.