Journey North Mystery Class Spring 2005

Mystery Class Update: April 8, 2005

Today's Report Includes:

One Week and Counting and What's Next?
Find Anything "Eggciting"? Discussion of CQ #7
Old Folklore?
This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Times
CLUES from Your Mystery Friends
Attention Teachers: REQUIRED Instructions for Your Answer
Plan Ahead and Mark your Calendars

One Week and Counting
	*"We only have a few more clues for you--do you think you know where we are?"*

Yep, time is running out, and the trail of evidence is about to go cold! In just one more week, your Mystery Friends say their weekly clues will come to an end. So, have you figured out where they are hiding yet? Take a look at their latest clues and sunrise/sunset data below. Good luck!

Here's What's Coming Next. . .
Next Friday, we'll post the final set of times and clues, so you can prepare and submit your answer by the April 22 deadline. To help you get ready, we're providing the Instructions today on how to submit your answers properly.(We'll post them again next week too)

Find Anything "Eggciting"? Discussion of Challenge Question #7
In last week's Update, we asked you to describe the results of your egg balancing testing, and tell us whether you were able to draw any conclusion "about whether eggs balance any better on the Equinox than during the other four weeks of testing?"

The results seemed to be unanimous in rejecting the idea that there is any cosmic balance on the Equinox. Just look at these comments from students:

"After several tests and experiments, I've come to the conclusion that eggs can be balanced at any time of the year, regardless of the Vernal or Autumnal Equinox. The Equinox is not responsible for eggs standing on end. Instead, the yolk of the egg has a large effect on how the egg is balanced. Another factor in the balancing of the egg is small bumps on the bottom of the egg. These bumps are just irregularities, but they act as little legs that keep the egg balanced."

"Eggs can balance on any day of the year. For most of our class it worked before and after the Equinox."

"No there is not a cosmic balance. You can balance the eggs any day or time of the year. It also helps if the egg has bumps on the bottom for balance."

"The Equinoxes have nothing to do with the balancing of the eggs. We balanced 3 eggs at the beginning of the week before the equinox and we also could balance eggs 9 days after the Equinox."

Old Folklore? What do the experts think about this? We asked Astronomy expert Rod Nerdahl. Read Rod's explanation:
Egguinox Expert Discussion

Now you're the Expert (and it's OK to be an Egghead!)
Now that you've finished your experiment and become an expert yourself, maybe you want to test others' knowledge (show off a little). As Rod said above, it's a well-known thought that eggs stand on end on the Equinox--show others "eggsactly" what you know about this topic. Test you friends, neighbors, parents, siblings, etc--it's OK to be an "egg-head"!

This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Times

Remember, the secret Mystery sites recorded their times last Monday, the same day you collected your own local sunrise/sunset data.

Link to This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Data

CLUES from Your Mystery Friends
Here is the fourth set of interdisciplinary clues from the Mystery Sites themselves.

Link to This Week's Clues from Your Mystery Friends

Attention Teachers: REQUIRED Instructions for Preparing Your Answer
When you submit your students' answer by the April 22 deadline, it is essential that you follow the Instructions. We'll post the Instructions again next week, but we're providing them today to help get you ready.

As teachers who give instructions yourself, you understand the importance of carefully reading and following them. Now it's your turn! Please print and follow the directions below carefully SO THAT YOU are ready to SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS PROPERLY.
	Required Checklist Instructions Got Questions? Mystery Class FAQ

Plan Ahead and Mark your Calendars
Here's the 2005 Mystery Class Schedule so you know what to expect from Journey North. Please be sure to plan ahead.

February 4- April 15:	Each Friday, Sunrise/Sunset Times are posted for the ten Mystery Sites.
April 8 & 15:	Interdisciplinary clues from the Mystery Sites are posted each week. (Please Note--out of fairness to all participants, we will only post the clues on their scheduled dates.)
April 22: Deadline for Your Answers!	No late entries will be accepted (out of fairness to all participants, no exceptions.)
April 29:	Mystery Sites Revealed!
May 6:	Meet Your Mystery Friends!

Questions? See Mystery Class FAQ's

The Next Mystery Class Update Will Be Posted on April 15, 2005