They will read some myths about why we have seasons and as they piece together a jigsaw puzzle they will understand the true reasons for why we have seasons. With their new knowledge they will once again fill in the chart for the picture positions and song excerpts. They will print their results. This is an online project which takes place every spring. The Mystery Class project lets students observe first-hand how photoperiod changes around the globe with the advance of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Students record the photoperiod weekly in their area and chart.
They also chart the photoperiods of 10 mystery classes around the world and by using the clues try to determine where each class is located. Although this project actually takes place in the spring, the data is posted all year and could be used at other times if the class cannot participate at the actual time that the project is in full swing. They then use the clues to guess where their partner class is located. Each group will use their model to explain to the class why the earth has seasons. The will relate the position that the earth is in during each season and will describe what takes place on the spring and vernal equinoxes and the summer and winter solstice.