The Mystery of the Solitary Flip-Flop
Objective: To use observable data collected from classifying sand samples and inferred data from person of interest (POI) statements to solve a mystery.
1) analyze and classify all sand samples according to origin and characteristics
2) compare findings to suspect statements
3) use the Report Form and provide evidence for reasoning as to how to solve the mystery
Note: the sand sample found at the scene should match the one associated with the POI
Teacher Set Up: Because sand sample sets will vary by classroom availability, the descriptions for each character and their matched sands are general enough to account for various types of sand.
1) Match the sets available to the 8 different Persons of Interest and, for whatever character is to be matched with the ‘who done it’, add the following to their statement. “OK, OK, I went over to Sandy’s at 3. I needed to talk with him about ______but he wasn’t home. I tripped over the flip-flop when I came through the gate and that’s probably how the sand got from my _____ to the walkway. But I don’t know what happened to him.”
2) Create an ID key as a guide for matching the sands. Use POI name as the label. Students will make observations in order to discover the sand matching each POI.
Procedure:
· Class: Set the Mystery
o Read the Information Sheet (out loud or individually to set the stage) - no mystery discussion
o Explain materials - sand samples, student sheets and magnification to be used
· Groups of 2: Observation and Data Collection
o 9 sand samples in clear containers/group – (8 different samples with one sample labeled twice, at scene and on POI)
o Complete the Sand Sample Data Sheet
· Groups of 4: Who, What, When, Where and Why Discussion
o Discuss all POIs listing evidence for each
o List pro (or con) evidence for one POI (chosen from 8 numbered/named sticks provided by teacher)
· Classroom: Argumentative Discussion (Debate)
o Give reasoning and evidence either pro or con depending on 'group of 4' discussion, being respectful of others opinions
· Individual - Investigative Report Write Up
o After observation, data collection and group discussions, each student will complete the Investigative report, citing from all evidence who was involved, explaining from their own viewpoint who was and was not involved.
o On chart paper/wall/board and after all have submitted their investigative reports, students each write name of POI involved with Sandy's disappearance.
Materials: Hand lens – one per group or one for each student, if possible. Optional: Other magnifying tools such as handheld with 50-200X capabilities. Mystery of the Solitary Flip-Flop Information sheet, Sand Sample Data Sheet, Student Investigation Report
Persons of Interest (POI)
Sandy Shores (m) - missing
1. Ashley Falls (f)
2. Wendy Flats (f)
3. Rocky Weathers (m)
4. Olive Ine (f)
5. Sal T Dunes (m)
6. Summer Tyme (f)
7. Pebbles Longshore (f)
8. Vol Cano (m)
The Mystery of the Solitary Flip-flop
BACKGROUND
Rocky Weathers was about to celebrate his birthday. His friends had planned a surprise birthday party for him on Friday night at 7:00pm at Sandy’s house. They knew Mr and Mrs. Shores were on vacation but would be back around 9:30pm that night and had given permission for the party to start without them. Sandy had called everyone Friday morning to let them know he would be at his house around 3:00pm and any one could come over after that.
Summer, Pebbles and Sal were supposed to arrive at 5:30pm to help Sandy set up everything. Olive was going to get the cupcakes and party favors, and arrive around 6:00pm. Vol, who had to go on an early Scout hike, was going to bring the drinks after he finished his hike. Ashley and Wendy had planned to pick up Rocky from a late afternoon sand volleyball game at the park and would ‘just happen to stop by’ to see Sandy around 7:15pm.
On the day of the party, things started getting all messed up. Olive called to say that she had come down with a cold, wasn’t able to go out, and would probably not be able to go to the party. Pebbles and Summer had an argument and refused to be around each other to help set up. Vol called Pebbles to say that he fell on the hike, twisted his ankle and had to go to home to elevate his foot. Wendy was getting nervous because Ashley had not bothered to call her to explain why she was so late and was afraid Rocky might leave without them.
Sal was the first to arrive at Sandy's house. He called both Summer and Pebbles to tell them he couldn't find Sandy, but they weren't home either. He called them and left this message: When I got to Sandy's house, the side door was open and I called out but no one answered. Going into the backyard, no one was there either. I found one of Sandy's favorite flip-flops on the concrete walkway by the gate which was swinging open. I thought that was really odd because Sandy never wears anything else and you guys know that there is a strict rule to always keep the back gate closed! And, what's really weird is that there is some sort of sand by the flip-flop - and only by the flip-flop. The rest of the walkway is totally clean.
Summer arrived about 20 minutes after Sal left the message. She said Olive had called and asked her to pick up the cupcakes at Olive's house. When Summer got to Olive's house, no one answered the doorbell and the cupcakes were in a box on the porch with the message "Too sick to come out. Thanks for picking up the cupcakes." Pebbles arrived a few minutes later and said she was late because she had to pick up drinks for Vol. As they hurried to setup the party, they tried to call Sandy but his phone kept going to voice mail. Around 7:30pm, Ashley (who finally showed up with no excuse as to why she was late), Wendy and Rocky finally arrived but the party was a bust! Sandy was still nowhere to be found and the only clue that he had been in his house at all that day was his lone flip-flop on the walkway. As the friends talked about how strange this whole thing was, they began to notice that every one of them had sand on some part of their clothes, hair or bag! The friends decided to use the sample of sand on the walkway to see if they could use it as a clue to determine if one of them had something to do with Sandy's disappearance.
STATEMENTS:
NAME: Ashley Falls
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: In her purse
STATEMENT: I was in Cancun last week with my family on vacation. I dropped my bag in the sand while we were playing at the beach and that must be how it got there. I would never do anything to hurt Sandy. He's my boyfriend.
NAME: Wendy Flats
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: In her socks
STATEMENT: Of course I had sand in my socks. That morning I was babysitting and took my brother and sister to the city playground before I went to pick up Rocky. I bet Ashley made him leave his house because she didn't want me around him. She thinks I like him and she's worried that I want him to be my boyfriend.
NAME: Rocky Weathers
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: In his shorts' pockets and hair.
STATEMENT: How was I supposed to know what happened to Sandy? I was playing volleyball all afternoon. Of course I had sand in my clothes and hair. I was playing sand volleyball. This was my party after all. Why would I want to ruin it?
NAME: Olive Ine
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: In the bottom of the box of cupcakes
STATEMENT: I was home sick. I never even made it to the party. How could I have had anything to do with Sandy's disappearance? The sand in the bottom of the cupcake box must have been planted there by someone trying to make me look like I was to blame.
NAME: Sal T Dunes
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: bottom of shoes
STATEMENT: Just because I was the first one there, don't think I did something to Sandy. He was long gone when I showed up. Sure I was the first one to find the flip-flop and the pile of sand but that doesn't mean I put them on the walkway. That was done long before I arrived. Sure I had sand on my shoes; the sprinkler was on at my house and then I walked through the school playground on the way here. There's no crime in that. It’s funny that Wendy says she was at the city playground because I walked through and didn’t see her there.
NAME: Summer Tyme
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: In backpack
STATEMENT: My aunt just returned from Hawaii and borrowed my backpack to carry with her while she explored the islands. The sand you saw in my backpack comes from the volcanoes and beaches there. I seriously doubt you found that kind of sand in Sandy's backyard. Don’t believe Pebbles. I overheard her say she was at the museum and I know for a fact that the museum closed early.
NAME: Pebbles Longshore
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: In a fold at the back of her jacket
STATEMENT: Sure Vol called me to say he had hurt his ankle and asked me to get the drinks. I didn't want to show up on time because I didn't want to be by myself with Summer and decided to go by the museum to see the new exhibit on Sand Castles and I probably got sand in my jacket when I leaned against one. Summer probably showed up early and made Sandy leave because she's best friends with Wendy and Wendy wants Sandy and Ashley to break up. I would never do something to Sandy. He's such a great guy!
NAME: Vol Cano
PLACE WHERE EVIDENCE WAS FOUND: On the bottom of his hiking books
STATEMENT: I was hiking all morning in the mountains with the Scouts. Because our motto is "Be Prepared" I wore my hiking boots over the rough and rocky terrain. The only kind of sand you'll find in my boots was that from rocks being crushed in a land slide. A scout would never do something harmful to anyone, especially Sandy; he's my best friend.
NAME: Sandy Shores
What’s the story?
Using the 9 sand samples, a hand lens, and the following terms as a guide, record sand sample observations in Student Sand datasheet.
Shape
• Degree of angularity (roundness)
• Angular (freshly broken, not carried far) to sub-angular to well-rounded (older, tumbled, maybe from older sandstones)
• The more round the grain, the longer it has been moving
Angular>Well Rounded
Sorting
• how sample settled (turbulent water, quiet water, wind)
• range from very well sorted to poorly sorted
poorly sorted sands - wide range of grain diameters
well-sorted sands - similar sized grains.
Well sorted>Poorly Sorted
· Biogenic - pieces of things that were once alive (shells, coral, tiny skeletons from marine organisms)
Abiogenic - rocks and/or minerals only
· Passive Continental Margin - tend to lighter colors, no volcanics associated with plate subduction zones
Active Continental Margin - tend to darker, heavier minerals from volcanic associated with plate subduction zones
· Coastal - tend to be polished, rounded, more well sorted from wind and water
Sorting and Rounding are influenced by 1) parent rock, 2) distance from source, 3) length of time exposed to weathering.
Interior - not as well sorted or rounded
· Oceanic - tend to be basalt and other, dark colored, heavy minerals such as olivine and magnetite
Continental - tend to be granitic, higher in quartz and feldspar, lighter in color
Name: ______
The Mystery of the Solitary Sandal Student Sand Datasheet
Sample # / Found on(POI Name) / Active or Passive Margin / Biogenic or Abiogenic / Oceanic or
Continental / Coastal or Interior / Other Sand Observations
The Mystery of the Solitary Flip-Flop Student Investigation Report
Name ______Date______
Results of Sand Investigation:
Person of Interest involved with Sandy's disappearance:
Supporting Evidence:
Persons of Interest NOT involved with Sandy's disappearance (list and provide reasons for dismissing each):
Explain what you think happened? Provide the Who, What, When, Where and Why.