Journey North's Mystery Class: A Study of Sunlight and the Seasons

News Updates: Spring 2012

Fridays: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11

FINAL Mystery Class Update: May 11, 2012
Introducing the Class of 2012! Travel the animated globe to meet and greet your new friends. Which class sleeps in a "donga?" Which ones eat "Chakalaka" or "Pakoras" or "Yorkshire Pudding"? Which class has monkeys in their schoolyard? Find out now!

Mystery Class Update: May 4, 2012
Today's the day you've been waiting for—the Big Reveal! Discover where on the globe the 10 mystery sites have been hiding. And come back next week to meet the people at each site.

Mystery Class Update: April 27, 2012
It's getting down to the wire! Midnight Friday is the contest deadline. As you wait for next week's "Big Reveal", pick up your Certificate now and celebrate a job well done. Did Mystery Class change how you see the world?

Mystery Class Update: April 20, 2012
Discover how much you've learned. Retrace your Mystery Class journey by solving this week's fill-in-the-blank challenge. April 27 is the deadline for the contest.

Mystery Class Update: April 13, 2012
The final set of interdisciplinary clues is here. Can you uncover the Mystery Class locations? It's time to submit your answers. Deadline April 27.

Mystery Class Update: April 6, 2012
The third set of interdisciplinary clues is here. Build upon the last two weeks' clues, and narrow your search even more. The final clues are coming next week. And tune in to hear Journey North on the radio!

Mystery Class Update: March 30, 2012
It's week nine. The second set of interdisciplinary clues is here from the Mystery Classes. Build upon last week's clues and narrow your search even further.

Mystery Class Update: March 23, 2012
Spring has officially arrived this week. It's time for the first set of interdisciplinary clues. Week-by-week these clues will reveal fascinating facts to narrow your search and help you get progressively closer to the secret locations.

Mystery Class Update: March 16, 2012
This week, narrow your search by estimating the approximate longitude of the Mystery Classes with the Longitude Clues! Put the sites in order from east to west. Then join in a "rap" up of longitude with a music video from one of the secret sites.

Mystery Class Update: March 9, 2012
It's week six! How will your photoperiod graph look by the end of March? Get ready for next week's special Longitude clues. Set up time zone clocks to explore local and Universal Time.

Mystery Class Update: March 2, 2012
It's time to zero in on the line that separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. This week, learn more about longitude lines to prepare for special clues coming March 16th.

Mystery Class Update: February 24, 2012
Why are clocks around the world set at different times? This week, explore questions about time to get ready for special clues coming in mid-March.

Mystery Class Update: February 17, 2012
With three weeks of photoperiod data, can you tell which Mystery Class sites are north and south of your hometown? This week, an iconic wildlife species reveals an additional clue.

Mystery Class Update: February 10, 2012
What clues will you find in this week's second set of sunrise/sunset data? Zero in on what separates the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Also, strap on some Latitude Shoes and travel around the globe along your line of latitude.

Mystery Class Update: February 3, 2012
Let the games begin! Somewhere under the sun there are 10 Mystery Classes waiting to be found. What can you uncover in today's postcard and sunrise/sunset data?

Mystery Class Begins Monday!
We challenge you to find the 10 secret Mystery Classes hiding around the globe. Are you ready to begin?

Welcome and Orientation
Mystery Class begins on January 30. Weekly news will be posted on this page every Friday from February to May. We challenge you to find 10 Mystery Class sites by following sunrise and sunset times and other clues. Join us for a global game of hide-and-seek. (More)

Countdown to Mystery Class

Monthly: Sept.1, Oct.1, Nov.1, Dec. 1, Jan.1
The "Countdown" will help you get ready for the spring 2012 Mystery Class project.

January, 2012: One Month to Go!
Mystery Class begins January 30th! Get ready this month by writing riddles about key words and concepts. Also, continue practicing daylength calculations and report your photoperiod for January 1st.
Image: John Walker, Fourmilab

December, 2011: Two Months to Go!
The globe is a model of Earth. Each part gives information about our planet. Build sleuthing skills by looking at the globe with the eyes of a detective: What features are related to time and seasonal change? Image: American Road

November, 2011: Three Months to Go!
This month, capture students' questions about time, sunlight, and the seasons on Wonder Rings. Help students create a classroom learning center filled with kid-tested, teacher-approved books. Dive into reading and discover how authors explain the reasons for seasons.

October, 2011: Four Months to Go!
Autumn began in the Northern Hemisphere last week. It's a great time to explore the relationship between sunlight and seasonal change as you "countdown" the months before Mystery Class begins in January.

Sunlight and the Seasons: Map of Day Length around the Globe

September, 2011: Five Months to Go!
As you "countdown" the months before Mystery Class begins in January, track changes in daylight as the Earth revolves around the Sun. Share and compare observations with people around the globe. Report to the live photoperiod map!

Mystery Class Updates: Spring 2012

Spring Updates (Weekly): Jan. 30, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 2012

Welcome and Orientation
Once Mystery Class begins on January 30, weekly news will be posted on this page every Friday from February to May. (See schedule above.) We'll challenge you to find ten Mystery Class sites using sunrise and sunset times and other "clues" as your guide!. Learn more about this global game of hide-and-seek. (More)


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