Mystery Solvers SlidesCase File #04-001 MYSTERY SOLVERS Using the Power of Science to Crack the Case Ask Predict Test Decide The Flickering Mystery 5 Minute Warm-Up Justin has a problem! His light keeps flickering. Let's watch how he uses science to solve it. Watch for these steps: What is the Ask? What does he Predict? How does he Test it? Focus: Segment [08:16 - 09:13] Embedded media The Framework for Discovery ASK Start with a question. What are you trying to figure out? PREDICT Use what you know to make a smart guess about the answer. TEST Gather evidence! Try something out to see if you are right. DECIDE Use your results to make a choice or find a solution. The Mystery Box Are you ready to crack the case? Your Investigation Rules: NO PEEKING! The box must stay sealed. GATHER EVIDENCE: Shake it, listen closely, and feel the weight. PREDICT: Write down what you think is inside and WHY. DESIGN A TEST: If you think it's a marble, how would it move? SCIENTIST'S TIP Evidence is proof! Listen for metallic clinks, soft rolls, or heavy thumps. Every sound is a clue! The Reveal Let's Discuss: How did your prediction change after you tested your box? What was the most helpful piece of evidence? How is this like what a Meteorologist or Physicist does? Case Closed!
Mystery Box Log WorksheetInvestigation Log Scientific Protocol CASE #04-001 Agent Name Date of Investigation MYSTERY BOX # ____ 1. ASK: The Big Question What object is hidden inside the mystery box? 2. COLLECT EVIDENCE: Observations SOUND Is it a clink, a slide, a thump, or a roll? WEIGHT & FEEL Is it light, heavy, or shifting around? 3. PREDICT: Your Smart Guess I predict the object is: I think this because of the evidence that... 4. TEST: Prove It! How can you test your prediction without opening the box? "If the object is a ___________________, then it should ____________________________ when I __________________________." Test Results (What actually happened?): 5. DECIDE: The Final Verdict Actual Object (Revealed!) Was your prediction right? Yes No Partially Final Reflection Scientists use evidence to make decisions every day. How did gathering more evidence change your decision about what was in the box?
Mystery Master Teacher GuideMystery Master Teacher Facilitation Guide | 4th Grade Science Lesson Duration: 40-45 Min Objective Students will apply the 'Ask, Predict, Test, Decide' framework to identify unknown objects using sensory evidence and logical deduction. Setup & Materials • Mystery Boxes: Small, sealed cardboard boxes (taped shut). • Objects: Varying shapes/weights (marble, paperclip, dice, rubber band, sponge). • Student Materials: Investigation Log, pencils. The Lesson Flow 01 Warm-Up: The Lightbulb Logic (5 min) Show the video segment [08:16-09:13]. Focus on how Justin uses his knowledge of Physics (electricity needs a circuit) to Predict that the problem isn't the bulb itself. "Justin tested multiple bulbs. Since they all flickered, his evidence proved the bulbs weren't the problem." 02 Main Activity: Mystery Box Investigation (25 min) Phase A: Observe Students shake, weigh, and listen. No opening! They log specific sounds (clinks, rolls, thumps). Phase B: Test Design "If it's a marble, it will roll smoothly when I tilt the box." Students must write their test BEFORE tilting the box. 03 Discussion & Reveal (10 min) Reveal objects one by one. Ask: "Who had to change their prediction after they tested the movement?" or "What piece of evidence was a 'red herring' (misleading)?" Questioning Framework Critical Thinking "How is your work today exactly like what a Meteorologist does when predicting a storm?" Evidence Analysis "If two objects sound the same when shaken, what OTHER test could you do to tell them apart?" Process Over Result "If your prediction was wrong, does that mean you were a 'bad scientist'? Why not?" Vocabulary Check Challenge students to use the words 'Evidence', 'Predict', and 'Decide' in their answers.
Log Sample Answer KeyAnswer Key Mystery Box Log EXEMPLAR RESPONSES Agent Name Scientific Sam Mystery Box # 07 (The Marble Box) SOUND EVIDENCE It makes a light "clink" when it hits the side. When I roll the box slowly, I hear a smooth rolling sound like something round. WEIGHT/FEEL EVIDENCE It feels small but heavy for its size. When I tilt the box, the weight shifts very fast from one side to the other. PREDICTION I predict the object is a glass marble. Because: The smooth rolling sound suggests a round shape, and the clinking sounds like glass or hard plastic hitting the box. Test Design "If the object is a marble, then it should roll continuously when I tilt the box in a circle." Results: The object rolled in a perfect circle without stopping or thumping. This supports my prediction. ACTUAL OBJECT: Glass Marble Reflection: Gathering evidence by tilting the box was better than shaking it. Shaking just made noise, but tilting revealed the shape (round) because of how it moved. Comparison Key (Red Herrings) Paperclip Light clink, sliding sound, almost no weight. Eraser Silent slide or heavy thump, no rolling sound. Dice Rattling clink, uneven rolling (tumbling sound).
