Conducted within a Masters in Teaching and Learning, this article details an inquiry which sought to offer meaningful purpose to learning within a fictional frame to engage students in level two mathematics. After considering various ideas for a suitable theme we settled on a pirate adventure. Enticing students with a mysterious treasure map and creating various obstacles and amusing characters along the way. As a frame for mathematics, pirates provided an additional opportunity to invite incidental thinking about mapping, position and measurement. As a preservice primary school teacher and research advisor, we have written collaboratively to reflect the shared research experience. While adopting different roles within the research, we share a passion for exploring new pedagogies, valuing student voice and collegiality. This short overview identifies our initial positions within this research.