Science Mystery Festival

The Case of the Missing Cookies Jefferson School Mystery Science Festival for 2nd and 3rd Grade Students :

The Case of the Missing Cookies Jefferson School Mystery Science Festival for 2 nd and 3 rd Grade Students

The Mystery Science Festival began on Friday when the students received letters and detective badges. They received detective notebooks and case folders when they “reported” on Tuesday.:

The Mystery Science Festival began on Friday when the students received letters and detective badges. They received detective notebooks and case folders when they “reported” on Tuesday.

The first activity taught the students how to carefully analyze details in order to draw conclusions. A purse was placed in each group of 6 students. Students used the scientific method to go through the purse and draw a conclusion about the purse’s owner. Students gathered data from the various purses and identified names, birthdates, careers, as well as information about the owners’ families. Students were also taught the difference between facts and assumptions and had to carefully record the data they found as one or the other.:

The first activity taught the students how to carefully analyze details in order to draw conclusions. A purse was placed in each group of 6 students. Students used the scientific method to go through the purse and draw a conclusion about the purse’s owner. Students gathered data from the various purses and identified names, birthdates, careers, as well as information about the owners’ families. Students were also taught the difference between facts and assumptions and had to carefully record the data they found as one or the other. Whose Purse?

The students were taught how to identify basic features such as loops, whorls, and arches in fingerprints. The students then used FBI fingerprint pads to record their own fingerprints to keep. :

The students were taught how to identify basic features such as loops, whorls, and arches in fingerprints. The students then used FBI fingerprint pads to record their own fingerprints to keep. Fingerprinting

The students studied a number of documents including time sheets, business letters, personal notes, birthday cards, etc… in order to identify who wrote a given note. Students had to study the individual handwriting patterns of the samples. The students then printed their names on one piece of paper and a short sentence on another. These slips were passed on to another group so that the students would have first hand experience at noticing the small details and variations.:

The students studied a number of documents including time sheets, business letters, personal notes, birthday cards, etc… in order to identify who wrote a given note. Students had to study the individual handwriting patterns of the samples. The students then printed their names on one piece of paper and a short sentence on another. These slips were passed on to another group so that the students would have first hand experience at noticing the small details and variations. Handwriting Analysis

DNA is a rather complex idea for second and third graders; however, the students learned that we each have our own DNA and that everyone’s DNA is unique like our fingerprints. They learned that DNA is made up of four base codes and the codes are written in segments of three. They saw examples of sample DNA strips and learned how to use a basic code to make a DNA strip out of colored beads to represent their names. :

DNA is a rather complex idea for second and third graders; however, the students learned that we each have our own DNA and that everyone’s DNA is unique like our fingerprints. They learned that DNA is made up of four base codes and the codes are written in segments of three. They saw examples of sample DNA strips and learned how to use a basic code to make a DNA strip out of colored beads to represent their names. Whose DNA?

One very interesting lesson for the students was one in which they were given an envelope of personal checks. By reasoning that the checks should be put in sequential order by date and should not only be checked to see what it had been made out for, but by who it had been signed, students put together pieces to form the story of someone’s life. :

One very interesting lesson for the students was one in which they were given an envelope of personal checks. By reasoning that the checks should be put in sequential order by date and should not only be checked to see what it had been made out for, but by who it had been signed, students put together pieces to form the story of someone’s life. Check and Learn

This activity started with a surprise guest walking into the classroom to hand me a magazine from her rather large bag. She then turned and left. Students were told to open their detective notebooks and record everything they had observed about the person that had just walked in. :

This activity started with a surprise guest walking into the classroom to hand me a magazine from her rather large bag. She then turned and left. Students were told to open their detective notebooks and record everything they had observed about the person that had just walked in. Identifying the Suspect

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The students were then shown pictures like the one on the right. The picture was only on the screen for a matter of seconds before the picture was removed and the students had to draw the suspect.

The Actual Mystery!:

The Actual Mystery! The “Detective Training Lessons” held throughout the week prepared the students for their first case: The Case of the Missing Cookies! The students were unaware that a mystery was being planned. In order to have “Missing Cookies”, we needed a reason for the cookies to be at the school in the first place. We chose to hold a bake sale in order to donate money to our school library in remembrance of Mrs. Suttles, our school secretary. Students brought cookies, and we carefully stored them in an unused classroom.

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The students were given a suspect sheet in order to record their observations and suspicions.

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As students approached the crime scene, they first noticed footprints and drew sketches in their detective notebooks.

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Students found a note and a mysterious powder left behind on the table where the cookies had originally been placed.

Students analyzed the mystery powder and other test powders using various chemical tests. By seeing how other powders reacted to vinegar, water, and iodine; students could then determine what the mystery powder found at the crime scene was.:

Students analyzed the mystery powder and other test powders using various chemical tests. By seeing how other powders reacted to vinegar, water, and iodine; students could then determine what the mystery powder found at the crime scene was.

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Students were told that the police had collected fingerprint and DNA samples prior to them arriving that morning. These results were brought in after they had spent time observing the crime scene.

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Students also compared their sketches of the footprint found at the crime scene with the samples taken from the suspects.

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The mystery was solved and the cookies were recovered! The bake sale was a huge success, and we were able to include lessons on adding money and counting change to our week!

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A huge thank you to Touchstone Energy and Southern Illinois Electric Coop for the $500 Classroom Empowerment Grant! The second and third grade students at Jefferson Elementary School enjoyed their Science Mystery Festival and the week-long activities that went along with it!