The Ballard Center for Social Impact hosted an escape-style game for freshmen, featuring stuffed rats and cardboard landmine props, in the Tanner Building, Jan. 15.
The event replicated the real-life problem of uncleared landmines in countries still recovering from war. It focused on the actual shift from using metal detectors to using HeroRats — rats trained to locate and diffuse the landmines.
“We wanted to do something that would capture their attention and be engaging,” said Anna Ray, events team student lead at the Ballard Center. “We believe that hands-on (activities) help you to remember an experience.”
Each group of students was given a white box containing hints and clues inside.
Each tool, such as a magnet representing metal detectors, a locked box or a math equation, was designed to help disable the fake landmine hidden under the table.
Students would originally use the magnet to try to disable the landmine. However, it was not until they opened the locked box containing the stuffed rats that they could successfully disable it.
Ray said she hoped this activity would help others see how broad social impact can be and that anyone can participate.
“Everyone can have their unique impact based on what you bring to the table,” Ray said. “No matter what they are doing in their life, what career you are going into, you can make a difference in the world because of your unique skills.”
Students attending the event started to change their views on social impact after seeing how fun and unexpected it can be.
Sofie Shurtliff, a Ballard Center events employee, said the center’s mission to help students develop the faith and skills to solve social problems aligns well with BYU’s mission to give students the skills they can use to help the world.
“We enter to learn and develop these skills, and then we can take them with whatever path and career we are going in, and really make an impact,” Shurtliff said.
While there are many resources for impact within the organization, Ray said these opportunities often go unnoticed and are only realized later, when students are juniors and seniors.
“We started these freshmen events to introduce students at a young age, like early on in their BYU journey, so that they have time to get involved and take more classes and work in the Ballard Center,” Ray said.
To encourage freshmen attendees to pursue social impact beyond the event, Carsyn Richins, a teaching assistant for an introductory Ballard Center class, advised students to recognize the power they have as individuals.
“This is the one we hope all of you will leave today and do,” Richins said. “Be active in your communities, be active in your families, be active in your government, find ways to be involved, that way you, as an individual, can make your personal difference, wherever you are.”
