Predict It, Hike It: Route Time Challenge
Each team plans a walking route on a map of the campus and the surrounding area, works out the distance and time including stops, then walks it to compare the prediction with reality. The winner is the team with the smallest error, not the fastest. Students practice trip planning, hiking pace, and self-assessment.
How to play
- Explanation (4 min): remind students that hikers cover about 2.5 miles per hour on flat ground and measure a sample distance on the map using the scale.
- Planning (7 min): teams of four get a map with eight marked points; they choose five, draw the route, measure the distance, and calculate the time with a 1-minute stop at each point.
- They write the route, distance, and predicted arrival time on the sheet and hand it to the teacher.
- Hike (about 12 min): teams start one minute apart and walk the route at hiking pace, without running, with a timekeeper in each team.
- At each point the team writes down the time; at the finish, the teacher records the actual time.
- Analysis (7 min): each team calculates the difference between predicted and actual time, finds which leg threw them off, and suggests how to adjust it on a real hike.
Rules
- Always walk; running to fix your time disqualifies the prediction.
- The team stays together and within sight of the teacher; nobody leaves the agreed area.
- Stops last exactly as long as planned, no more and no less.
Variations
Easier
Hand out the route already drawn so the team only works out distance and time.
Standard
The team picks five points, plans distance and time, and compares with the real result.
Harder
Add a leg with stairs or a hill where the team must apply a time adjustment for elevation.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the team calculates using the student's real walking or wheelchair speed and picks accessible points.
- Hearing impairment or autism: give the activity sequence in writing and have the team use signals for stops.
- Fitness level: teams with more endurance choose points that are farther apart.
Learning goals
- Plan a walking route by working out distance, time, and stops.
- Keep a steady, realistic group hiking pace.
- Analyze planning errors and propose adjustments.
Equipment for a class of 25
- maps: 7
- stopwatches: 7
- pencils: 7
- worksheets: 7
Teacher tip
The key is that accuracy wins, so nobody runs. If the campus is small, get permission to use a nearby park or streets with extra staff.
PatioLab has "Predict It, Hike It: Route Time Challenge" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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