A 9th Grade

“What Done It?”

Mystery Case

Introduction:

Everyone has heard of a “who done it” mystery. Well, this is going to be a “What done it” mystery. Although most people know the dangers of substance abuse, some still decide to experiment. Common knowledge about substances is as follows: pleasure affects, side affects, and long-term affects. Everyone at your school has been talking about the high school rave party that took place last weekend. Three classmates were hospitalized. It will be your team’s job to conclude upon what substance has been taken and what long-term affects such substance has on the body. Given will be the clues of the pleasure and side affects. The well being of these classmates are at stake. There is not much time! What done it?

Task:

In order to solve this mystery task, a compilation of your group’s individual research will be needed. There will be 3 groups of 5 students. Each student will take on a different role. Some roles will require research and other roles will require meeting with different members of the group to check the research and formulate conclusions. An informative brochure will then be created and passed around. The intent of the brochure will be to educate others of the harmful affects of each substance in the hope of preventing future use and hospitalizations.

Rave Dealer: Research the form of drug

Rave Patient: Research pleasure affects of drug

Rave Friend: Research side-affects of drug

Doctor: Check research, final determination of drug and its long-term affects, meet with parents

Parent: meet with doctor, ravers, and detective to compile brochure using research found

Everyone must work together to solve the mystery. Each role will overlap with another so make sure to communicate with your group. Do not forget to be resourceful!

Process:

Ask yourselves, how are we going to solve this mystery? Here are some things to think about as you research.

1. What resources will best help me solve my part?

2. I can not complete my task until another person finds their answers, how do I handle this situation?

3. What is the best way to make a brochure?

4. How many brochures need to be made?

5. Should we present our brochure before we hand them out?

Here are some web sites you might find helpful in finding answers to these questions and researching your topic.

Rave Dealer:

Rave Patient:

Rave Friend:

Doctor:

Parent:

The Internet Resources for Everyone:

  • GHB
  • Rohypnol 'Roofies'
  • Ecstasy/MDMA
  • LSD
  • Methamphetamine
  • The neurobiology of Ecstasy
  • Club Drugs

Resources:

The teacher will provide the rave dealer with a form of the drug and 3 possibilities of what the substance might be. The teacher will provide the rave patient with pleasure affects. Upon discovering the form of the drug, the rave patient can then gather research to help determine which drug was taken. The teacher will provide a list of side affects to the rave friend. After talking with the rave patient and checking research, the rave friend can help determine the drug. Use all available resources including computer, libraries, and other people. Be creative!!!

Evaluation:

Did you fulfill your individual role to make this project a success? Did your group communicate well enough to successfully solve the case and create and informative brochure?

Criteria for grades: Each student will receive an individual grade for participation and proper resource use (50 points). The group will be graded as a whole (100 points).

  1. Notes or printouts from your resources need to be handed in
  2. Any questions, comments, or concerned may be emailed at any time. You call or email to schedule group meeting.
  3. Rough drafts will be due one month from today (10 points).
  4. Final draft due in two months (50 points).
  5. Organization and neatness of brochure and resources (20 points).
  6. Cooperation with group member to solve case (15 points).
  7. Copies of internet web sites used (5 points).

*Final Project should include:

  1. Web site referenced
  2. Sources used
  3. Any other information used to solve case

Conclusion:

  1. What new information helped make this project a success?
  2. What challenges arouse and how were they handled?
  3. What could have been done differently, if anything?
  4. What are your/groups overall feelings about your role/project?
  5. What would have made the project better?

Everyone has worked hard to solve the “What Done It?” Mystery case. Congratulations!!!