Students, through a series of problem solving activities, locate a missing space probe. Students use cooperative learning techniques and research skills to formulate hypotheses, plan an investigation, investigate and decipher clues, and finally locate the missing space probe. The Great Solar System Rescue was developed by Tom Snyder Publications. Using the investigation wheel, students ask driving questions, plan an on-line investigation, search the web for information, assess the validity and appropriateness of gathered information, compile facts and ideas, and formulate a response to their driving question. Investigations was developed by the Middle Years Digital Library Teaching and Learning Group at the University of Michigan.
Students view a series of video clips where individuals explain aspects of the problem.
Students formulate hypotheses, investigate clues that may or may not support their theories, collaborate with classmates, and finally prepare a lab report with summary and recommendations. The Grade 7 mysteries are Nature House Malady, Noises in Schools, and Fog Photos. Science Sleuths was developed by the Minnesota Educational Computer Consortium. The following may be used if time and materials become available in the future. Students examine the physics of energy transformation by investigating various methods of communication.