This is a statewide fourth grade geography project. Classes in eight different mystery locations give presentations containing several clues with information unique to their city or town. All sites take notes during the presentations, and with this information, use their state map and various web sites to guess the other locations. At the end of the project, all sites reveal their locations to let each other know if their guesses were right. Here are some images from May 24, 2007:

Here’s what participating teachers said about the event:

• This is an example of authentic learning for my students.  It gives them a “real” reason to learn more about their state and their community.
• I liked the ability to have students see other students in their own environment.
• Kids worked in collaborative groups to solve problems with a specific time frame, which meant there was purpose and focus for all.
• Students need to think analytically in order to decide which clues are most useful.  They also need to learn to scan for appropriate information.  I also liked that my kids loved it.  This was the first time ever kids have thanked me for a field trip!
• Students got map reading skills first hand—light bulbs went on ("I didn’t know that Olympia was the capital of our state!”).

Thanks to parent Selena Storey for photographs.

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