Other Project Formats: Exchange Projects | Academic Challenges | Problem Solving | Debate & Data | Quiz Bowls

Problem Solving/Mystery Projects Definition

 In a problem solving project, each participating class shares a problem and the classes try to find a solution. The main difference between these and the Academic Challenges is who prepares the problems. In the projects below, the students present the problem to each other.

Some Popular Problem Solving Projects

• MysteryQuest: World Geography. Coordinated by Berrien RESA. Occurs in late January/early February annually. Watch the video for an overview.
• MysteryQuest USA. Coordinated by Berrien RESA. Occurs late April annually. Video Overview. See also HistoryQuest5 and HistoryQuest8.
• Where in Michigan?. Coordinated by TWICE. Occurs in May during Michigan Week annually. Watch the video for an overview.
• If you're a distance learning coordinator, you may also be interested in MysteryQuest Beaches, a fun professional development version of these projects (Not for students though. The beach directories have some inappropriate sites).

These projects are based on the Where in the USA and Where in Washington projects by Learning Space, an organization that no longer exists.

Adapting the Format

Don't be intimidated by all the materials that go with these projects! You can take the concept and make it smaller & simpler. Here's a few sample templates:

Science and Math: Problem Solving

• Topic: Choose a problem that could be solved by another class in 15-20 minutes; for example, a story problem, a geometry problem, a chemistry or physics problem.
• Time frame: A class period to prepare your problem presentation; a few class periods to practice solving such problems, and a 45-60 minute videoconference with your partner class.
  Preparation: Decide how to present the problem (illustration, story, hands on activity). Plan for visuals. Assign tasks and involve as many of your own students as possible. Prepare your presentation. Practice solving similar problems.
• Agenda: 60-90 minutes
  
  5 min. Welcome and introductions. Each class shares their location and brief information about their school.
  Visuals: Use document camera or PowerPoint to share a few local pictures of interest.
  15 min. Problem presentation. Each class shares a 5-7 minute problem. Or for an extra challenge and a longer session, have students present three problems from each class (30 minutes).
  Visuals: Live demonstration, iMovie illustration, or PowerPoint with digital pictures, posters with large letters.
  20 min. Silence on the videoconference. Each class works busily to solve the problems presented to them.
  20 min. Answers and discussion. Each class presents their solution and discusses the answer with the other class. Students can ask each other questions regarding the problem solving process and content. If extra time, students may enjoy asking each other questions about their respective locations and schools. 

Language Arts or Social Studies: Solve a Mystery/Guess the…

• Topic: Choose a topic where students would need to guess what is presented by the other participating class(es). For example, a geographical location, a historical figure, a president, an author, a book, a time period, etc.
• Time frame: A week or so to prepare your presentation of the clues, and a 45-60 minute videoconference with your partner class.
• Preparation: Decide on the required clues or clue categories and communicate that with your partner school. Decide how to present the clues. Plan for visuals. Assign tasks and involve as many of your own students as possible. Prepare the presentation.
• Agenda: 60-90 minutes
  
  5 min. Welcome and introductions. Each class shares their location and brief information about their school.
  Visuals: Use document camera or PowerPoint to share a few local pictures of interest.
  15 min. Clues presentation. Each class shares a 5-7 minute presentation of clues.
  Visuals: Skit, iMovie illustration, or PowerPoint with digital pictures, posters with large letters.
  20-30 min. Silence on the videoconference. Each class works busily solve the mystery or guess the event, person, location.
  20 min. Answers and discussion. Each class presents their solution and discusses the answer with the other class. Students can ask each other questions regarding the problem solving process and content. If extra time, students may enjoy asking each other questions about their respective locations and schools.

Other Ideas

• Primary Source & Archived Collections Projects. These projects could be extended to include a videoconference of students sharing the results of their investigation and comparing the problem-solving strategies they used to arrive at a conclusion.
• Fairy Tales on Trial. This elementary idea can be adapted for high school with mock trials in government and civics classes.

Other Project Formats: Exchange Projects | Academic Challenges | Problem Solving | Debate & Data | Quiz Bowls