Educational technology and instructional design research has focused on evaluating interventions and innovations in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency, and appeal. While such indicators of learning outcomes are important, designers should also strive for engaging, socially just, and transformational instruction. To illuminate the capabilities of adventure learning, we evaluate three such projects in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, engagement, social justice, and transformational capability. Findings indicate the diverse impact adventure learning has had on K-16 learners and teachers. (Contains 6 figures.)