Recently I had the privilege of working on a very large K-12 science, math and technology fair called COMPAQ SCI://TECH 97 held at Montgomery College in Conroe, Texas.

One of events that I was associated with was the World Wide Web Scavenger Hunt. The goal of the scavenger hunt was not the answers themselves, but the journey that the participants took. I have included a modified version of this hunt for you to try.

See if you can find the information needed without reading the hints listed. Even if you do have to read the hints, consider it a success if you get the information you want and have some fun.

While the story that goes along with the scavenger hunt is obviously fiction, the data you find will most certainly be fact (or, in the case of weather predictions, an attempt at fact). Additionally, the Mr. Barnett discussed in the adventure was chosen at random and has nothing to do with this narrative.

Finally, depending on when you take the hunt will determine your results. Some of the data (like the Federal Express airbill number) may eventually not be available and you will have to substitute your own information.

The WWW Scavenger Hunt:

Rumors in a business newspaper say The Big Company, a Nashville, Tennessee computer chip manufacturer who would directly compete with Intel Corporation, is about to start publicly trading stock. Check the closing bid of Intel (ticker symbol "INTC") and look over its last year's performance. [hint 1]

You remember that an old college fraternity brother, Eugene Barnett, is working for The Big Company and you want to get his opinion on the business. You know he lives outside of Nashville, but forgot the name of the city (so the telephone operator can't help you). Find Eugene's phone number and address. [hint 2]

While talking to Eugene, he invited you over for the weekend to discuss The Big Company's future in detail. Find the best price of a round-trip ticket from Houston Intercontinental (Airport Code IAH) to Nashville Metropolitan Airport (Airport Code BNA) leaving next Friday around 9:00 a.m. and returning the following Monday around 5:00 p.m. [hint 3]

Eugene also gives you directions on how to get to Madison, but unfortunately, he sometimes gets his road signs mixed-up and you need a map of the city. You also need to get driving directions from Nashville to Madison. Find the information. [hint 4]

Before packing for your trip, you need to check the weather. Find the weather for Nashville, TN. [hint 5]

Finally, Eugene asks for the information you found in the newspaper. You sent it via Federal Express to his office address, but he say it never arrived. Find out who signed for the package and when. The FedEX airbill tracking number is 2484052966 sent 01/28/97. [hint 6]

You visited the plant, met the CEO and bought major stock in The Big Company. You make a fortune off the stock and retire as a millionaire thinking all the while... "I sure am glad I have Internet access!"