What is Mystery Science?
Mystery Science provides ready-made science mysteries for elementary, K-5, school students. Each lesson contains a central mystery, discussion questions, supplemental reading and a hands-on activity.
Is Mystery Science Aligned with the NGSS Performance Expectations?
If all Mysteries are utilized, all but one (K-2-ETS1-1 in Kindergarten and first grade) of the NGSS standards for each grade will be met. See the provided planning guides and the Central Rivers Alignment Guide for details.
How Long Will Schools Have Access Through Central Rivers AEA?
While we had initially planned to continue our subscription until June 2025, due to recent legislation and the impact on our budget, we are currently investigating our options. Once we are able to analyze our budget and get guidance from the statewide team, we will update this page as well as send information out through various channels including the CIA Network and science listserv. Stay tuned for updates – we promise to pass information along as soon as it is available.
How will Teachers Gain Access to Mystery Science?
For those who already have a Mystery Science account (because you perhaps signed up for a free year trial or your school purchased it this year)- You should not need to do ANYTHING – Mystery Science should have already switched you over. You can check this by looking logging in and looking in the upper left – you should see a heart icon with the words “member of” and then your school building listed.
For those who have not created an account before:
You will need to create an account and follow the on-screen directions. If you already have an account, you will not be able to create a new one but you will be able to reset your password if you have forgotten it.
How Much Instructional Time is Required?
Each grade varies and Mystery Science includes optional activities to extend the lesson.
| Grade | Suggested Time |
|---|---|
| K | Mystery Science recommends teaching the mysteries within each unit in the order they are presented. The units themselves can be taught in any order. The core Mystery (exploration & activity) is designed to take 30-45 minutes per week, with 1 hour of Optional Extras per Mystery. The Read Along Mysteries offer an opportunity to develop students’ literacy as they learn science. |
| 1st | Mystery Science recommends teaching the mysteries within each unit in the order they are presented. The units themselves can be taught in any order. The core Mystery (exploration & activity) are designed to take 30-45 minutes per week, with 1 hour of Optional Extras per Mystery. The Read Along Mysteries offer an opportunity to develop students’ literacy as they learn science. |
| 2nd | Mystery Science recommends teaching the mysteries within each unit in the order they are presented. The units themselves can be taught in any order. The core Mystery (exploration & activity) is designed to take an hour per week, with 2 hours of Optional Extras per Mystery. |
| 3rd | Mystery Science recommends teaching the mysteries within each unit in the order they are presented. The units themselves can be taught in any order. The core Mystery (exploration & activity) is designed to take an hour per week, with 2 hours of Optional Extras per Mystery. |
| 4th | Mystery Science recommends teaching the mysteries within each unit in the order they are presented. The units themselves can be taught in any order. The core Mystery (exploration & activity) is designed to take an hour per week, with 2 hours of Optional Extras per Mystery. |
| 5th | Mystery Science recommends teaching the mysteries within each unit in the order they are presented. The units themselves can be taught in any order. The core Mystery (exploration & activity) are designed to take an hour per week, with 2 hours of Optional Extras per Mystery. |
What about Materials?
Each district is responsible for supplying the required physical materials. Mystery Science has developed Mystery Packs, reserve supply kits for your teachers. If you don’t want to order the supply kits from Mystery Science, a master supply list can be found on Mystery Science’s Getting Started Page.
Do Teachers Have to Give Up Instructional Units or Lessons that Align with NGSS?
No! There are multiple ways to use Mystery Science, for example:
- Only use Mystery Science and address the Performance Expectations not addressed by Mystery Science by using other resources (see table above).
- Use some of the Mysteries in conjunction with what is currently being used to form a complete curriculum to address each of the Performance Expectations.
- Use the Mysteries to extend or supplement already developed lessons or units as needed.
What about the “Extras?”
The optional extras can be used to extend a Mystery. These extras may include an assessment, a literacy connection, additional videos or activities.
Who is Mystery Doug?
Mystery Doug is a spin-off of Mystery Science. Mystery Doug is a weekly video series for elementary teachers based entirely on questions real students ask. Each Mystery includes an ELA prompt for grades K-1 or 2-5 students. These weekly videos can also be found under the mini-lessons tab on the homepage of Mystery Science.
Mystery Doug explores questions like…
- Could a turtle live outside its shell? – Austin, 2nd Grade
- Why do I get goosebumps? – Sarah, 3rd Grade
- Could a fish breathe out of water? Jamal, 4th Grade