This is a two-part activity. In Part 1 of this activity, students will choose a science question and do research to find out the answer using resources provided by the teacher (books or articles). In Part 2, students will use the information they find to write a script and create drawings to help explain their answer. After completing the script and drawings, students will either do a class presentation or video record themselves presenting their answers and drawings.

Estimated time: 2-3 hrs (We recommend giving your students multiple sessions to work on their project.)

Part 1

Step 1: Print worksheets

Each pair of students or solo student will need:

• Research for Mystery Doug Project worksheet

For students who get stuck when trying to come up with their own questions, we created a list of suggested questions. Let students try to come up with questions first on their own, then provide this Question Suggestions sheet to those who need help. Print as many Question Suggestions sheets as you think you’ll need for your group.

Step 2: Provide students with resources to research their topics

Here are some options; use whatever will work best for you!

• Assign students grade-leveled articles or books from ReadWorks or Epic! (registration is free for educators)
• Print articles for students from Wonderopolis or other websites
• Have students check out books on their topic from your school library, or use books from your classroom collection

Part 2

Step 1: Print worksheets and gather supplies

Each pair of students or solo student will need:

• Script & Storyboard worksheet (2 pages)
• set of Illustration Sheets (3 pages)
• Markers or colored pencils
• Scissors

Step 2 (optional): Have students video record their projects

If you want to have students record videos of their projects, they’ll need access to video recording devices, such as cameras, webcams, or smartphones.

Step 3 (optional): Share student videos

If you’d like to share your students’ videos with Doug and the rest of the Mystery Science team, you can upload the videos online and tweet a link to us @MysterySci. (Before you do so, make sure you have parent permission to share student work, in accordance with your district’s policies.)

Steps for uploading and sharing videos using YouTube:

1. Go to http://www.youtube.com/
2. Click the icon on the upper right that looks like a video camera with a + sign on it
3. Choose “Upload Video”
4. On the drop-down menu, choose “Unlisted”
5. Drag your video file onto the page, or click where it says “Upload Files”
6. Once the video is uploaded, copy the link

Steps for tweeting videos to Mystery Science:

1. Paste the link to your video on Twitter
2. Include @MysterySci
3. Include the hashtags #MyMystery and #StayCurious