Newcastle and Gateshead’s Quayside will be teeming with school children today (Wednesday 9 July) as they gather to take part in a Guinness world record attempt treasure hunt.

Around 950 youngsters from schools across Tyne and Wear will be heading to the iconic location to take part in the event, organised by Newcastle University’s very own Dr Maths Steve Humble (pictured).

The pupils, aged between seven and 11 will start the hunt at Baltic Square and head over the Millennium Bridge. They will be answering questions based on local history, landmarks, maths and people as they make their way along the route. If they answer the questions correctly they will gather clues which will lead them to treasure.

The previous world record was set with 466 participants in 2012. Steve Humble, a teaching fellow in Newcastle University’s School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, is confident that his group of young helpers will help him beat the record. “I can’t wait for Wednesday,” he said. “We’re going to have so much fun attempting to beat this world record.

“The Quayside is one of the most well-known locations in the North East so why not use it to bring education to life outside the classroom. The fact we can take part in some brilliant activities along the way just makes it even better.”

Last summer Steve turned the quayside into a giant classroom for primary school children and he has previously transformed the MetroCentre into a massive maths exercise.

And the treasure hunt isn’t the only world record up for grabs. Children will be able to try their hands at others at the Baltic art gallery including:

• The most star jumps in one minute
• Most dominoes stacked in 30 seconds.
• Fastest time to build a three level house of cards

Sage Gateshead will also be providing activities based around music and maths while Life Science Centre will be taking its mathstastic roadshow along and holding workshops for the youngsters.

Newcastle University education students and prospective students will be helping things along on the day.

published on: 9 July 2014