How to Run a Moles & Stoichiometry Scavenger Hunt in Chemistry

If you’ve ever taught the mole concept and stoichiometry, you already know the struggle. These topics are some of the most essential in chemistry—and yet, they’re also the ones that leave students glassy-eyed, overwhelmed, or muttering “Why do we need this again?”

After 13 years in the classroom, I’ve tried every trick in the book: worksheets, guided notes, lab simulations, even songs. They all have their place. But nothing has transformed my stoichiometry reviews quite like a scavenger hunt.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what a moles & stoichiometry scavenger hunt is, how I set it up in my classroom, and why it’s been one of my best strategies to keep students engaged while practicing some of the trickiest chemistry calculations. Along the way, I’ll share some of the pain points I faced (and how this activity solved them), plus practical tips you can use immediately.

What Is a Moles & Stoichiometry Scavenger Hunt in Chemistry?

A stoichiometry scavenger hunt is exactly what it sounds like: instead of handing students a packet of 20 practice problems, you break the problems up into “mission cards” that lead from one to the next like a treasure hunt.

Each card has:

• A short, engaging scenario (mine are space-themed—oxygen leaks, failing thrusters, reactor overloads—you get the idea).

• A stoichiometry or mole conversion problem.

• An answer that points students to the next card in the hunt.

  
  

Students move from card to card in teams, solving problems in order, and collecting letters or codes along the way. At the end, they unlock a final message or complete the “mission.”

What changes isn’t the math. It’s the format. Suddenly, instead of groaning through a worksheet, students are racing from card to card, arguing over molar masses, and celebrating when they find the next clue.

Why a Moles & Stoichiometry Scavenger Hunt Works in the Chemistry Classroom

Worksheets have their place, but they often don’t address the biggest pain points I’ve seen in my chemistry classes:

• Stoichiometry feels abstract. Students can crank through grams → moles in isolation, but when they see mixed units or multi-step problems, they freeze.

• Low energy. Even the best students glaze over after a few repetitive calculations.

• Lack of confidence. Students second-guess themselves because they don’t see how one step connects to the next.

• Teacher burnout. I don’t want to re-explain “divide by molar mass, multiply by ratio, then by molar mass again” twenty times in one period.

  
  

The scavenger hunt solves all of this:

• Context + urgency. Wrapping problems in a story (“Your oxygen supply is leaking—how many liters remain?”) makes it feel like it matters.

• Active learning. Students aren’t just sitting—they’re moving, talking, and working together which research has proven improves engaments and learning.

• Built-in differentiation. Stronger students help weaker ones. Teams naturally explain steps to each other in ways I sometimes can’t.

• Self-checking. Each correct answer points them to the right next card. If they’re wrong, they’ll know because the trail doesn’t work. Less work for you, which is the best part!

  
  

How to Set Up a Stoichiometry Scavenger Hunt Step by Step

Here’s how I run it in my own classroom. You can adapt to your style and pacing.

Step 1: Decide on the content mix

For stoichiometry, I usually include:

• g ↔ mol conversions

• mol ↔ L conversions at STP

• mole-to-mole problems using balanced equations

• mass-to-mass conversions

• one or two “challenge” problems( usually involving three conversion factors i.e. mass to mass stoichiometry problems)

  
  

This way, students see the full range of problems in one activity, not just one type.

Step 2: Write your mission cards

Each card has three parts:

1. The story — short, dramatic, space-themed line like: “The thrusters are failing—calculate the O₂ required before you crash!”

2. The problem — clear stoichiometry or mole conversion calculation.

3. The navigation number — the exact answer, which matches another card number.

I try to make the exact answers integers so the “rounded” and “navigation” numbers match. Saves arguments about rounding. But most times, students can figure this out.

Step 3: Print & prep materials

• Print 30–34 cards. Laminate if you want them to last.

• Create a tracking sheet for students to record answers and the path they followed.

• To make the scavenger hunt more engaging, add a cryptogram or final message. Students collect letters as they solve each card, then decode the hidden phrase at the end. It’s a built-in reward and an extra self-check—the message only works if their answers are right. Best part? Students love the payoff when the code finally makes sense.

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Step 4: Place the cards around the room

I tape them on walls, cabinets, and even under lab stools. The idea is that students move to find the next one. Movement = energy.

Step 5: Launch the hunt

• Put students in groups of 2–4.

• Hand out the tracking sheet.

• Explain: “Each correct answer leads you to the next mission card. Stay on track, or you’ll get lost in space! Record everything."

• Let them go.

Students must record their path as they move around the classroom. If they run out of time, they always have a record of where they stopped so they can easily continue.

Step 6: Circulate & coach

My job during the hunt isn’t to lecture—it’s to listen. I walk around, overhear errors, and step in with questions. Example:

“Wait, why are you multiplying instead of dividing by molar mass there?”

These quick check-ins help me spot misconceptions early. But most times, i use this as a revision activity, so I just let students do their thing!

Step 7: Wrap up & debrief

Once teams finish, we gather and talk about the hardest cards. I’ll show a problem on the board, and ask: “Which step tripped you up?”

Students are way more invested in this reflection because they just lived the struggle.

If your students need help practicing Moles & Stoichiometry Calculations, I recommend this Bundle of resources :

Materials and Tools for Running a Chemistry Scavenger Hunt

You don’t need much to pull this off:

• Printed mission cards (laminate if you’ll reuse).

• Tracking sheets for groups.

• An answer key for yourself

• Space to spread the cards

• Cryptogram or puzzle sheet for the “final code.”

• A timer on the board for competitive energy (optional)

  
  

Moles & Stoichiometry Scavenger Hunt: A Chemistry Review Activity That Works

If your students dread stoichiometry, you’re not alone—I did too, for years. But shifting practice problems into a scavenger hunt turned those groans into cheers. It addressed my pain points as a teacher, gave my students confidence, and created an energy in the room that plain worksheets never could.

You don’t need fancy materials. Just problems you already have, cut into cards, a story hook, and the willingness to let students move and explore.

Give it a try—you might be surprised at how much fun stoichiometry can actually be.

Grab my ready-to-play, no prep Moles and Stoichiometry Scavenger Hunt Here!