Instructions
- Read the Mission Briefing: You are the Lead Wildlife Investigator for the Wheeling, WV Backyard Bureau.
- Analyze the Evidence: Work through the different forensic departments (Math, Science, Social Studies, History, and Art) to solve the mystery of the backyard visitors.
- Think Like a Detective: Use logic and observation. Minimize writing by using circles, checkmarks, and short codes.
- Final Deduction: Use all your clues to complete the final report.
Section 1: The Track Identification (Science & Art)
Investigators use visual clues to identify suspects. Look at the tracks found near a Wheeling backyard creek. Match the track to the animal and sketch the missing "Forensic Detail."
| Suspect | Track Description | Forensic Detail (Sketch) |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Raccoon | Five long toes, looks like a tiny hand. | (Draw a small hand-print) |
| Suspect A: White-tailed Deer | Two symmetrical "cloven" (split) hoof marks. | |
| Suspect B: Wild Turkey | Three long toes pointing forward, very large. | |
| Suspect C: Red Fox | Four toes with visible claw marks at the tips. | |
| Suspect D: Great Blue Heron | Long toes with thin webbing near the base. |
Section 2: The Feeder Logic Grid (Math)
Three birds—the Northern Cardinal, the Blue Jay, and the Tufted Titmouse—visited three different feeders in a Wheeling garden between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Use the clues to determine who visited which feeder.
The Clues:
- The Northern Cardinal did not visit the Suet Block.
- The Blue Jay visited the feeder that sits the highest off the ground.
- The Tufted Titmouse was seen at the Sunflower Tube.
- The Platform Feeder is lower than the Sunflower Tube.
The Logic Table: (Place an X for "No" and a Checkmark for "Yes")
| Animal | Sunflower Tube | Suet Block (High) | Platform Feeder |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. Cardinal | |||
| Blue Jay | |||
| T. Titmouse |
Section 3: The Historic Sighting (History & English)
In 1849, a traveler crossing the Wheeling Suspension Bridge wrote a coded letter about the animals they saw. Decode the words using the key below to see what changed over 175 years.
Code Key: 1=A, 2=E, 3=I, 4=O, 5=U, 6=Y
-
"I saw a massive B_ _R (B-2-1-R) near the riverbank." Word: ____
-
"The sky was dark with P_SS_NG_R PG _NS (P-1-S-S-2-N-G-2-R P-3-G-2-4-N-S), a bird that no longer exists today." Word: ____
-
"The W_LV_S (W-4-L-V-2-S) howl at night near the hills of Mount Wood." Word: ____
Detective Note: Which of these three is now "Extinct" (gone forever)? ____
Section 4: Backyard Navigation (Social Studies)
Wheeling is located on the Ohio River. Most backyard animals travel toward the river for water. Using the grid below, plot the shortest path for a Black Bear starting at the Woods to reach the River while avoiding the City Center.
The Map Grid:
- (A1) Woods (START)
- (B1) Woods
- (C1) City Center (BLOCKED)
- (A2) Residential Lawn
- (B2) Heritage Trail
- (C2) City Center (BLOCKED)
- (A3) River Bank
- (B3) River Bank
- (C3) Ohio River (GOAL)
Your Path (List the coordinates): A1 → ____ → ____ → ____ → C3
Section 5: The Extension Challenge (Optional)
The Stealth Factor: If a Red Fox travels at 4 miles per hour (mph) and needs to cross a 2-mile stretch of Oglebay Park without being seen, how many minutes will it take the fox to cross the park? Hint: Time = Distance / Speed. (Multiply by 60 for minutes).
Your Calculation: ____ minutes.
Answer Key
Section 1 (Science/Art):
- Suspect A: Deer (Heart-shaped hoof sketch)
- Suspect B: Turkey (Three-prong arrow sketch)
- Suspect C: Fox (Paw print with claws sketch)
- Suspect D: Heron (Long, thin bird track sketch)
Section 2 (Math):
- Northern Cardinal: Platform Feeder
- Blue Jay: Suet Block
- Tufted Titmouse: Sunflower Tube
Section 3 (History/English):
- BEAR
- PASSENGER PIGEONS
- WOLVES
- Extinct: Passenger Pigeons
Section 4 (Social Studies):
- Possible Path: A1 → A2 → B2 → B3 → C3 (or A1 -> B1 -> B2 -> B3 -> C3)
Section 5 (Challenge):
- 30 minutes (2 miles / 4 mph = 0.5 hours).