Mystery Class Activity

Integrating Technology: An Online Learning Activity

During the Mystery Class activity (a Journey North project), participants will be introduced to an example of effective integration of technology into the curriculum. This online, inquiry-based lesson uses scientific data (sunrise/sunset information) and other clues to help participants identify "mystery locations." Internet resources are used to support the activity and to provide important information.

Participants will:

Introduction:

Picture this: You and a team of learners are presented with the task of discovering the geographic location of a "mystery class." You will use online resources to find information about the sunrise and sunset in your training location. You will then use this data to calculate the photoperiod (the amount of daylight between sunrise and sunset) of this location. Using sunrise and sunset data, you will also calculate the photoperiod of your mystery class, and will record this information on a graph.

Based on this information, patterns will emerge. You will be able to make a first prediction as to whether your mystery class is in the northern or southern hemisphere. You will be able to predict whether the class is near or far from the equator or the poles. Other clues will be supplied which will eventually help you determine the exact location of your mystery class.

Materials needed:

 

The Process:

You will work together in groups to determine the location of your Mystery Class.

Task#1 : Practice Finding Hometown Photoperiods
  1. Find today's sunrise and sunset data for your hometown. Start at the Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day website
    (link to http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html).
    a.) Click on the Data Services link to get to sun rise and set times
    b.) Click on Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day
    c.) Enter the date and your hometown information. Click "Get Data."
  2. Now learn how to calculate the photoperiod (the amount of daylight between sunrise and sunset) for your hometown by counting the number of hours and minutes the sun is up. For example, if the sun rises at 6:50 a.m. and sets at 17:30 p.m., the photoperiod for that day is 10 hours and 40 minutes. For more information, see Kids Calculating Photoperiods (link to http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/mclass/KidsCalculatingPhotoperiod.html)

 

Task #2: Finding Photoperiods for your current location

You will use the same techniques from above to calculate the photoperiod for your training location.

  1. Find sunrise and sunset data for your training location for all dates listed on the Mystery Class Data Sheet #1.

    Link to http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html to help you record the data on the Mystery Class Datasheet

  2. Calculate the photoperiod (the amount of daylight between sunrise and sunset), using the same technique that you used to calculate the photoperiod for your hometown. For more information, see Kids Calculating Photoperiods (link to http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/mclass/KidsCalculatingPhotoperiod.html).
  3. Complete the Mystery Class Data Sheet for training location.
  4. Plot the photoperiods for training location on the Mystery Class Graph.

 

Task #3: Calculating Mystery Class Photoperiods
  1. Using the sunrise and sunset information on the Mystery Class Data Sheet for your assigned location, calculate the photoperiod for each of the dates given. Record your results on the Data Sheet.
  2. Plot the photoperiods on your Mystery Class Graph.

 

Task #4: Using Information to Make Predictions
  1. Using the photoperiod information from your training location and from your Mystery Class location, make predictions about the location of your Mystery Class. Is it in the northern or the southern hemisphere? Is it close to the equator? Or is it close to the poles? Use your graph to help you with this step.
  2. Compare your graph with those of other groups. Do you see similarities? Differences? How does this information help you in making some predictions about your own Mystery Class location?

Task #5: Using Clues to Find Your Mystery Class
  1. Use the Mystery Class Clues Sheet.
  2. Use the sunrise and sunset data to calculate the photoperiods.
  3. Plot the photoperiod information on your Mystery Class Graph.

Use all photoperiod information, the clues, and other resources such as atlases, maps, globes, and online tools, to determine the location of your Mystery Class.

Below are some online resources to assist:

Altapedia Online contains full color physical and political maps as well as key facts and statistics on countries of the world.
http://www.atlapedia.com/

US Census Bureau: Population Statistics by Country:
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbsum.html

World Fact Book
www.theodora.com/wfb/abc_world_fact_book.html

General Reference:
www.encarta.msn.com

Maps and Facts about Countries:
www.mapquest.com

Atlas:
http://www.maps.com/explore/atlas/

Language by Country
www.advancebarcode.com/languages.html
http://www.education-world.com/foreign_lang/world_languages/index.shtml

Animal Information Database:
http://www.seaworld.org/infobook.html

Flags of the World
http://www.flags.net/indexs.htm

Search Engines:

www.google.com
www.dogpile.com
www.altavista.com

Complete details about the Mystery Class Project may be found at the Journey North website:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/spring2000/species/mclass/index.html