How would you apply your research skills to solve these mysteries? If you find the answer to the mystery, come in the library media center and tell Mrs. Mayfield. If you are right, you can reach into her reward "cauldron"!

RAK = Random Acts of Kindness - Kindness Week at Rancho is one of my favorite weeks. I value kindness bestowed and kindness received! Being kind becomes its own reward!

I just read this equation in a book and thought of our amazing students at Rancho!
Can you solve the equation by telling me what it means and what book I was reading?

CQ + PQ > IQ

  I visited this site this summer.
Two of our famous founding fathers, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson have a historical link to this site.
Where was I?
What is the name of this amazing site?
What did Washington and Jefferson have to do with it?
What research strategies did you use to solve the mystery?
If you think you know come in and you can receive a prize!

Mystery uploaded - November 2, 2009!  Mystery solved by many Rancho students!   http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/

I was visiting Natural Bridge in Virginia! George Washington surveyed it and carved his initials in the rock face. Thomas Jefferson bought it and the 157 acres surrounding it from King George of England for 20 shillings in 1774 two years before the Revolution. Irony!!!!!

 
I stood at this spot this summer on our trip around the USA.
It was a clear day and I saw Seven States.
This was also one of my favorite places my grandparents took me!
Where was I? I was visiting Rock City, Georgia on the Tennessee stateline! http://www.seerockcity.com/
Mystery solved! Congratulations to all of you who researched the mystery and received the reward!

Mystery Solved after one week of investigation!

This is a Deck Prism used aboard wooden ships to provide light to the cabins and compartments below as well as warn of fires below at night! This was a very ingenious and economical invention. Read all about it at http://glassian.org/Prism/Deck/index.html. The deck prism I have is a replica of one found aboard the Charles W. Morgan, a 19th century wooden whaling ship.
Here is more information...http://glassian.org/Prism/Deck/Charles_W_Morgan/index.html

I discovered deck prisms online before I visited Mystic Seaport Village in Mystic, Connecticut. On my trip around America this summer I wanted to see how they worked! I was amazed at their simplicity but effectiveness!
Four students solved the mystery and received the research prize of an autographed book by Frank Beddor!

Congratulations to our amazing researchers: Carlo, Lohit, Andrew and Daniel!