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It was a dark and dreadful night when we discovered the disappearance of the priceless Lighthouse Diamond. We all thought it was safe and sound in our super secure vault in the basement of the "You Gotta Have It - Jewelry Store". But alas, the only thing we found was a note and a bag of white powder left in the vault. The thief left them there to tease and taunt us ... how humiliating this has been! We have called you in because we need your professional help in solving this mystery.

After analyzing the evidence that was left by the crook, by using the scientific method and studying the profiles of the suspects that have been named, your team of police scientists will present your report to the panel of Honorable Judges for possible sentencing of our criminal. We hope we have called in the right scientific team ... YOU! Good Luck!!

Your ultimate goal is to find out who is the mean and nasty culprit who committed this crime. However ...

First, you'll need to brush up on how do make a Scientific Investigation. We don't want any mess-ups and destroy all the evidence. You'll investigate 6 different white powders, looking at their different properties and reactions to a few simple tests.

Next, you'll need to investigate the evidence in the bag that was left by using the Scientific Method to determine what the white powder is. (It could also be a combination of different white powders; so be careful, this crook is tricky!)

Then, you'll want to compare the note (with clues) that the thief left with the results of your findings about the mysterious white powder to see if you can find out who our criminal is. You'll analyze your team's work by using a special student rubric.

Finally, your scientific team must submit your Scientific Method Sheet, Mystery Powder Analysis Chart, Student Rubric, and your Accusation Affidavit of who you think committed this crime to the panel of Honorable Judges.

Each member of your four person scientific team should visit the web sits shown below to remember all the steps to the Scientific Method. (I know you are all professionals of the highest standards, but just in case you have forgotten some of the steps). Use the Scientific Method Sheet to help organize everything.

Then each member should become an expert in one of the following areas and investigate their "cool" topic. Use the Mystery Powder Analysis Chart to see if you can find out what reacts to each of the white powders.

Finally, if you really get stuck on a question, you can go to Schools Online where you can ask a real scientist a question! Check it out!!

OK scientists, it's now time to get to work and find our criminal! Follow these steps to make sure to don't leave anything out:

Hopefully you have already arrived with you expert scientific team of four; if not, choose wisely or you might end up with numbskull named "Corn Julio".

Work together using the Internet to to fully understand the Scientific Method. You'll find some information under "Resources".
Decide which of the four Experts each team member wants to be and have each explore their field on the Internet (see "Resources") with the help of the "Mystery Powder Analysis Chart" . You will want a copy for each member so they can find information, properties, and what reacts with their white powder. Each expert will need to take notes about their subject and turn these notes in to the Honorable Judges at the end of this case.
Using teamwork and a lot of care, analyze the reactions of white sugar, powdered sugar, flour, salt, baking soda, and Plaster of Paris by following the special "Mystery Powder Instruction Sheet - Part I" .
Using teamwork and a lot of care, analyze the sample of white powder left by the "Lighthouse Diamond Theft" following the special "Mystery Powder Instruction Sheet - Part II" .
Compare "The Note" that was left by the Lighthouse Diamond Theft to the " Suspect List " telling about each suspect. Now, knowing what the mystery powder is, you can solve this case.
Present your findings (Notes from each of the four "Expert Fields", "The Scientific Method Sheet", "Mystery Powder Analysis Chart", " Final Accusation Affidavit ", and the "Scientific Team Rubric") to the panel of Honorable Judges for their decision on your job. (Sorry you had to work like a dog, but don't worry, your check will be in the mail for all your hard work and dedication .... arff ... arff...)

Your team will be judged on how well you work as a scientific team. This will include all the work you turn in; including each expert's notes, "The Scientific Method Sheet, the "Mystery Powder Analysis Chart" the "Final Accusation Affidavit" and the "Scientific Team Rubric". The Honorable Judges may decide to give everyone in your scientific team the same grade (if you all work the same amount) or you may find they will give you different grades (if someone in your group doesn't do their share of the work).

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.
Stated Objective or Performance	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.	Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance.

By the time your group reaches the end of this quest, your team of scientific experts will be able to use The Scientific Method to solve a crime! Your group will also be great at analyzing white powders to determine what they are and some of their properties and reaction qualities to a few simple tests. This quest might just put you in the mood to check out other substances and how they react with different tests, but remember you should always check first with your parents or teacher to see if something is really dangerous! You could even go back and ask advice from "Schools Online" from the Resource section of this quest. Wouldn't it be interesting to see what real tests are done by a real police laboratory and see what kind of cases they have to solve?

Last updated on August 15, 2001 by Dianne Cordero. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page