Journey North Mystery Class Spring 2003

Mystery Class
Jim Gilbert

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Journey North News will be posted on Fridays:
Jan 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9

Journey North News

Reminder: Mystery Class Begins on Monday, February 3, 2003
Let the Mystery Class Games Begin! Next Monday, be sure to collect your own hometown sunrise/sunset times, and then join in the international search for the ten secret Mystery Classes hiding around the world. These sites are sworn to secrecy, so you'll have to follow changing weekly sunrise and sunset data, and other crucial clues to help you unlock their secret locations. Then, at the end of the 11 weeks, you'll try to answer the BIG question: "Where in the world do you think our 10 Mystery Classes are located?"
Mystery Class Update: February 7, 2003
Welcome to the Mystery Class Quest! Where all of your sleuthing and other skills are put to the test. You've already recorded your own hometown sunrise/sunset time for Monday Feb 3, and now we have the first set of sunrise/sunset times from your 10 secret Mystery friends too. Get your graph paper and put pencil to the paper--it's time to try to unlock the Mystery. Are you organized? Get some tips from a Pro. Let's get's started.
Mystery Class Update: February 14, 2003
Your secret Mystery friends have sent you a sweet gift for the Valentine's Holiday--your second set of sunrise/sunset times. What will you discover this week? Are their photoperiods increasing? Decreasing? Or...? Take a graphing tip from a pro--there's much to learn already. Plus, get to the bottom of the reasons for seasons, and get a quick Latin lesson in the answers to last week's Challenge Question.
Mystery Class Update: February 21, 2003
"Neither rain, nor SNOW, nor gloom of night" could stop the third set of sunrise/sunset times from being posted. Changes in photoperiod impact the entire web of life, from plants to animals. As you watch the daylength changes, do you think that the food chain changes too? Grab the popcorn and watch this "enlightning" video clip. And try the "Seeing the Light" lesson and explore the connections.
Mystery Class Update: February 28, 2003
Which Mystery Class is the farthest north, south, or the closest to the equator? Will the fourth set of sunrise/sunset data let you answer these questions? The Longitude Clues are coming soon and two Mystery Class veteran teachers share their tips. Plus, take a look at Earth from Space--can you see how sunrise and sunset occur each day? And try this "Eggstraordinary" experiment--do eggs really stand up on end on the Equinox?
Mystery Class Update: March 7, 2003
We're counting down! One more week until we provide the Longitude Clues, and then more clues to come after that. In the meantime, Rap with this rhyming Teacher Tip and watch the video--a Countdown to Longitude. Plus, you'll get your fifth set of sunrise/sunset data from your Mystery friends. Can you predict what your graph will look like on the Equinox? And by the way, what's the "standing" on those eggs?
Mystery Class Update: March 14, 2003
Happy Vernal Equinox! (A little early.) Are you ready to celebrate? In honor of the big day, this week's update is packed full with the special Equinox Longitude clues. These clues will help you estimate the approximate Longitude of 9 out of the 10 secret sites.(Why just 9 out of 10? Read the report to find out). Who says you can't get something for free? Two of the Longitude clues are freebies. We've also got the latest weekly sunrise/sunset times, plus several responses to last week's Challenge Question too. And don't forget to keep an eye on the Clues Calendar, that counts down to when your answers are due.
Mystery Class Update: March 21, 2003
Do you feel clueless? Not to worry--today's the day we provide the first set of clues and a video about the clues too. By the way, what's the standing of your egg-balance testing? Find out who wanted to be a millionaire long before the game show, plus this week's sunrise/sunset times too.
Mystery Class Update: March 28, 2003
We've got breaking news! Journey North has an advance copy of an April 1st news story about a great new invention that lets you travel around the globe free! We also have the latest times and clues, plus, a few "timely" lessons, and a word on why not all locations on the Equinox will have EXACTLY twelve hours of day and night. And see how one Classroom's "eggsperiments" are going so far!
Mystery Class Update: April 4, 2003
"Come and get 'em!" Your Mystery Friends have sent in their latest clues to help you on your quest to find them. Just two more weeks of clues to go. No April fooling, something's happened to some of the sunrise/sunset times this week. Can you explain why? Plus, time's up--let us know if your egg balancing experiments uncovered anything "eggciting"! Teachers: Get advance notice on how to successfully submit your answers.
Mystery Class Update: April 11, 2003
"Have you found us yet?", ask your Mystery Friends as they send another set of clues. But time is running out--just one more set of clues to come. Teachers, be sure to review the advance rules for submitting your answer by the April 25 deadline. We're also revealing this week's Sunrise/Sunset Data, the reasons why some of the times shifted last week, and "Eggciting" news about one of the oldest pieces of Equinox folklore.
Mystery Class Update: April 18, 2003
Now Playing: Just look how far you've come! The Countdown has begun. Are you ready to unlock the Mystery? The FINAL sunrise/sunset data and FINAL clues from your ten Mystery Friends have arrived. Read the Rules and Checklist carefully and see if you can tell us "Where in the world each Mystery Site is Hiding?" Remember, you must submit your answer no later than Friday, April 25. Good luck!
Mystery Class Reminder: April 25, 2003
Don't forget to submit your answer no later than Friday, April 25. Then its only one week until the Mystery is solved. Watch the video of excited students learning the secret locations from a prior season! And take another look at how far you've come! Plus, do you know of any classrooms outside of North America who might want to be a secret Mystery Class in 2004?
Mystery Class Update: May 2, 2003
Today's the day you've all been waiting for! Find out "Where In The World" your 10 secret Mystery friends have been hiding. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this challenging activity. Remember to come back next week to "meet" your new Mystery Friends. Just like you, they've all worked very hard and are really eager to meet you with their introductions, additional information about their site, photos and treats too.
FINAL Mystery Class Update: May 9, 2003
Hurray! At long last...it's time to finally meet your new Mystery friends from around the Globe. They worked very hard and can't wait to meet you! And all 10 secret sites have provided their greetings, photos and even a treat for you too. We've also received several comments from students complimenting the ten stealthy sites. And finally, don't forget to send your secret suggestions for 2004 Mystery sites around the globe. Have a great summer!