Solve It Challenging Students through Puzzles Stephanie Hartman

Solve It!: Challenging Students through Puzzles Stephanie Hartman Mark Szarko Mat Willmott ACRL 2009 MIT Libraries

Going back a bit. . . (photo credit Pierre J. - CC)

Creative spirit & MIT “Hacks” From the Hackers Gallery: The word “hack” at MIT usually refers to a clever, benign, and “ethical” prank or practical joke, which is both challenging for the perpetrators and amusing to the MIT community (and sometimes even the rest of the world!). ”

Fire truck on Dome - 2006 (photo credit Erik Nygren)

Wright Brothers’ Flyer – 2003 (photo credit Erik Nygren)

Putting it all together… (photo credit Miss Blackbutterfly – CC)

Which brings us to the puzzles… (photo credit Eric Schmiedl)

Puzzle construction…

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Where can I find information on agricultural economics? (8) Where can I find a list of definitions of the various methods of incorporation? (10) Where can I find yield curve analysis information? (9) How can I find a directory of high tech companies? (8) Where can I find information on obsolete securities? (10) Where can I find information about financial models? (7) How can I find what people are searching on the internet? (9) How can I access statistical information for the EU? (8) Where can I find changes in companies’ management? (7) Where can I find international statistical agencies on the Web? (8) How can I find information on nonprofit organizations? (9) Where can I find housing data from the U. S. government? (7) Where can I find transcripts of conference calls? (9) Where can I find information on social networking? (_____ Research) (7) Where can I find information on worldwide wages and fringe benefits? (_____ Internet) (8) How do I find SEC filings? (10) Where can I find all common stocks listed on an exchange? (_____ Online) (8) Where can I find national accounts variables expressed in a common set of prices in a common currency? (_____ Tables) (9) How do I find information on the sports industry? (_____ Research Online) (8) Where can I find data on world supply and consumption of oil? (10) How do I find betas for companies or industries? (_____ Investment Survey) (9) How do I find career information about management consulting? (_____ Career Library) (7)

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Where can I find information on agricultural economics? (8) Where can I find a list of definitions of the various methods of incorporation? (10) Where can I find yield curve analysis information? (9) How can I find a directory of high tech companies? (8) Where can I find information on obsolete securities? (10) Where can I find information about financial models? (7) How can I find what people are searching on the internet? (9) How can I access statistical information for the EU? (8) Where can I find changes in companies’ management? (7) Where can I find international statistical agencies on the Web? (8) How can I find information on nonprofit organizations? (9) Where can I find housing data from the U. S. government? (7) Where can I find transcripts of conference calls? (9) Where can I find information on social networking? (_____ Research) (7) Where can I find information on worldwide wages and fringe benefits? (_____ Internet) (8) How do I find SEC filings? (10) Where can I find all common stocks listed on an exchange? (_____ Online) (8) Where can I find national accounts variables expressed in a common set of prices in a common currency? (_____ Tables) (9) How do I find information on the sports industry? (_____ Research Online) (8) Where can I find data on world supply and consumption of oil? (10) How do I find betas for companies or industries? (_____ Investment Survey) (9) How do I find career information about management consulting? (_____ Career Library) (7) • Step 1: Recognize that there are bold letters in the questions which spell “Dewey Research Advisor. ”

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Where can I find information on agricultural economics? (8) AGRICOLA Where can I find a list of definitions of the various methods of incorporation? (10) BIZFILINGS Where can I find yield curve analysis information? (9) BLOOMBERG How can I find a directory of high tech companies? (8) CORPTECH Where can I find information on obsolete securities? (10) DATASTREAM Where can I find information about financial models? (7) ECONLIT How can I find what people are searching on the internet? (9) EMARKETER How can I access statistical information for the EU? (8) EUROSTAT Where can I find changes in companies’ management? (7) FACTIVA Where can I find international statistical agencies on the Web? (8) FEDSTATS How can I find information on nonprofit organizations? (9) GUIDESTAR Where can I find housing data from the U. S. government? (7) HUD USER Where can I find transcripts of conference calls? (9) INVESTEXT Where can I find information on social networking? (_____ Research) (7) JUPITER Where can I find information on worldwide wages and fringe benefits? (_____ Internet) (8) LABORSTA How do I find SEC filings? (10) LEXISNEXIS Where can I find all common stocks listed on an exchange? (_____ Online) (8) MERIDIAN Where can I find national accounts variables expressed in a common set of prices in a common currency? (_____ Tables) (9) PENN WORLD How do I find information on the sports industry? (_____ Research Online) (8) PLUNKETT Where can I find data on world supply and consumption of oil? (10) SOURCEOECD How do I find betas for companies or industries? (_____ Investment Survey) (9) VALUELINE How do I find career information about management consulting? (_____ Career Library) (7) WETFEET • Step 1: Recognize that there are bold letters in the questions which spell “Dewey Research Advisor. ” • Step 2: Go to the Dewey Research Advisor and find the answers to the questions

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Where can I find information on agricultural economics? (8) AGRICOLA Where can I find a list of definitions of the various methods of incorporation? (10) BIZFILINGS Where can I find yield curve analysis information? (9) BLOOMBERG How can I find a directory of high tech companies? (8) CORPTECH Where can I find information on obsolete securities? (10) DATASTREAM Where can I find information about financial models? (7) ECONLIT How can I find what people are searching on the internet? (9) EMARKETER How can I access statistical information for the EU? (8) EUROSTAT Where can I find changes in companies’ management? (7) FACTIVA Where can I find international statistical agencies on the Web? (8) FEDSTATS How can I find information on nonprofit organizations? (9) GUIDESTAR Where can I find housing data from the U. S. government? (7) HUD USER Where can I find transcripts of conference calls? (9) INVESTEXT Where can I find information on social networking? (_____ Research) (7) JUPITER Where can I find information on worldwide wages and fringe benefits? (_____ Internet) (8) LABORSTA How do I find SEC filings? (10) LEXISNEXIS Where can I find all common stocks listed on an exchange? (_____ Online) (8) MERIDIAN Where can I find national accounts variables expressed in a common set of prices in a common currency? (_____ Tables) (9) PENN WORLD How do I find information on the sports industry? (_____ Research Online) (8) PLUNKETT Where can I find data on world supply and consumption of oil? (10) SOURCEOECD How do I find betas for companies or industries? (_____ Investment Survey) (9) VALUELINE How do I find career information about management consulting? (_____ Career Library) (7) WETFEET • Step 1: Recognize that there are bold letters in the questions which spell “Dewey Research Advisor. ” • Step 2: Go to the Dewey Research Advisor and find the answers to the questions • Step 3: Fit the answers into the grid, where elongated boxes contain the same letter.

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Where can I find information on agricultural economics? (8) AGRICOLA Where can I find a list of definitions of the various methods of incorporation? (10) BIZFILINGS Where can I find yield curve analysis information? (9) BLOOMBERG How can I find a directory of high tech companies? (8) CORPTECH Where can I find information on obsolete securities? (10) DATASTREAM Where can I find information about financial models? (7) ECONLIT How can I find what people are searching on the internet? (9) EMARKETER How can I access statistical information for the EU? (8) EUROSTAT Where can I find changes in companies’ management? (7) FACTIVA Where can I find international statistical agencies on the Web? (8) FEDSTATS How can I find information on nonprofit organizations? (9) GUIDESTAR Where can I find housing data from the U. S. government? (7) HUD USER Where can I find transcripts of conference calls? (9) INVESTEXT Where can I find information on social networking? (_____ Research) (7) JUPITER Where can I find information on worldwide wages and fringe benefits? (_____ Internet) (8) LABORSTA How do I find SEC filings? (10) LEXISNEXIS Where can I find all common stocks listed on an exchange? (_____ Online) (8) MERIDIAN Where can I find national accounts variables expressed in a common set of prices in a common currency? (_____ Tables) (9) PENN WORLD How do I find information on the sports industry? (_____ Research Online) (8) PLUNKETT Where can I find data on world supply and consumption of oil? (10) SOURCEOECD How do I find betas for companies or industries? (_____ Investment Survey) (9) VALUELINE How do I find career information about management consulting? (_____ Career Library) (7) WETFEET • Step 1: Recognize that there are bold letters in the questions which spell “Dewey Research Advisor. ” • Step 3: Fit the answers into the grid, where elongated boxes contain the same letter. • Step 2: Go to the Dewey Research Advisor and find the answers to the questions • Step 4: Read the highlighted squares down to get the answer, “Milton Friedman”

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Statistics/Results Total submissions: 116 (109 correct answers) 75 Undergraduates 41 Graduates Answer pages accessed in the DRA Total queries to the DRA search box

Puzzle Example: Dewey Research Advisor Statistics/Results

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery QMGAI LSKPFA (NPPH: //BGLKSKGOM. RGP. OCQ/LSKPFA), KOJQOMP S HCD MYSA FD PNO DFBBFUGAI SKPGYBO, UNGYN UO NSTO GA MPFKSIO: LSPYNOBFK, L. I. , YBSMMGDGYSPGFA FD HFBO RSHM GA YFRHBOV HBSAO. ZFQKASB FD YWLOKAOPGYM, 1978. 8(34): H. 237 -251. EOOH GA RGAC PNSP PNO BGLKSKW MPFKSIO SAAOV GM FABW FHOA DFK MYSAAGAI RFACSW PNKFQIN DKGCSW, AGAO PF DGTO.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. The code used to encrypt the first part of the puzzle should clue you in to three specific words. Place them in the grid below.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. The code used to encrypt the first part of the puzzle should clue you in to three specific words. Place them in the grid below. The code used to encrypt the first part of the puzzle was: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z S L Y C O D I N G Z E B R A F H J K M P Q T U V W X

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. The code used to encrypt the first part of the puzzle should clue you in to three specific words. Place them in the grid below. The code used to encrypt the first part of the puzzle was: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z S L Y C O D I N G Z E B R A F H J K M P Q T U V W X Note the words spelled at the beginning of the code!

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. For each word, change one letter and rearrange the rest of the letters to get three shades of blue, and enter them into the grid below.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. For each word, change one letter and rearrange the rest of the letters to get three shades of blue, and enter them into the grid below. Word: Change: To: Leaving: Rearrange to get:

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. For each word, change one letter and rearrange the rest of the letters to get three shades of blue, and enter them into the grid below. Word: SLY CODING ZEBRA Change: L C B To: K I U Leaving: SKY IODING ZEURA Rearrange to get: SKY INDIGO AZURE

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. Enter the letters into the grid below based on the numbers assigned in the grid above.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. In this string of text, find and cross out four shades of green. Left will be three words; enter them into the grid below.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. For each word, change one letter, then rearrange the letters to get three shades of red. Place them in the grid below.

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. For each word, change one letter, then rearrange the letters to get three shades of red. Place them in the grid below. INFANTRY

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery USING BARTON (HTTP: //LIBRARIES. MIT. EDU/BARTON), REQUEST A PDF SCAN OF THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WHICH WE HAVE IN STORAGE: BATCHELOR, B. G. , CLASSIFICATION OF POLE MAPS IN COMPLEX PLANE. JOURNAL OF CYBERNETICS, 1978. 8(34): P. 237 -251. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARY STORAGE ANNEX IS ONLY OPEN FOR SCANNING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, NINE TO FIVE. • Step 1: Decode it. • Step 2: Follow the instructions and request the article. • Step 3: Solve the second sheet by following the instructions given. For each word, change one letter, then rearrange the letters to get three shades of red. Place them in the grid below. And so, the answer is I N F A N T R Y

Puzzle Example: Article Delivery Statistics/Results Total submissions: 121 (74 correct answers) 73 Undergraduates 48 Graduates Electronic Article Delivery requests by week

Results and Statistics 9 puzzles released over three semesters: • 558 solutions have been received (472 were correct). • 297 students solved at least one puzzle. • 42 students solved three or more puzzles. • 3 students solved all six puzzles in AY 2007 -2008. • 182 students have requested to be notified via email when puzzles are released.

What we learned, future strategies and decisions… (photo credit Eric Schmiedl)

Feedback from Submission Forms Where did you first 2% hear about the puzzle? 4% Student Newspaper From a friend 10% Other 12% 47% Libraries Flier Poster in Main Lobby 12% Facebook 13% MIT Libraries News Blog

Feedback about Puzzles Of the 6 puzzles, how many did you solve? 3 6 5 2 7 4 3 12 2 13 1 41 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Level of Difficulty How would you describe the level of difficulty for the puzzles overall? Easy 2 Somewhat Easy 15 Just Right 33 Somewhat Difficult 23 Difficult 5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Did you know about Vera and the Libraries’ electronic resources before solving the puzzles? No 27% Yes 73%

Has your use of the Libraries’ electronic resources—either those used in the puzzles or others—increased as a result of working on the puzzles? No 59% Yes 41%

Where are the best places to advertise on campus? Libraries News Blog 0 Other 6 10 LCD Screens across Campus Libraries Flier 13 Campus Movie Slide 13 Facebook 21 Slide Show in Main Corridor 29 Poster in Main Lobby 54 Student Newspaper 67 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Other Comments & Ideas ¢ Sponsor events ¢ More elaborate puzzles, competitions, scavenger hunts ¢ Food ¢ Bookmobile rocks! ¢ More coffee coupons! ¢ More puzzles!

Analysis/Conclusion

Contact info & Useful links Stephanie Hartman hartman@mit. edu MIT Libraries ads http: //libstaff. mit. edu/ communications/tools. html Mark Szarko szarko@mit. edu Puzzle pages http: //libraries. mit. edu/puzzle Mat Willmott willmott@mit. edu Hack gallery http: //hacks. mit. edu