BROADALBIN — “Is 25 greater than 40 or is 40 greater than 25?” “Do we have more even numbers in this pile or more odd numbers?” These were some of the problems the second-graders in Tammy Staie’s classroom were trying to solve on Thursday, April 5.

The students weren’t in math class, though; they were solving the problems in order to get the next clue in Staie’s Academic Egg Hunt. The Easter egg hunt was much more than just finding chocolate treats; it was an educational experience that reinforced basic math and letter skills, as well as grouping and organizational skills.

Each problem solved led the teams to a different location in the school where they received a new egg with a new problem. At the end, they finally reached their classroom where they selected from a basket of goodies.

Understanding that children learn best through experience, Staie took advantage of the traditional Easter egg hunt format to provide a valuable learning opportunity for her students.

“This is a fun, brainy spin on the egg hunt,” Staie said. “They don’t realize it, but there is a purpose behind each activity — reinforcing the lessons they have been learning all year.”