May 25, 2011: The Journey North Mystery Class is an annual project that challenges students to use the Earth's seasonal cycles to discover the locations of ten mystery classrooms from around the world. The activity takes place over an eleven-week period during which clues are revealed. In addition to science skills, the students utilize math skills and their knowledge of Social Studies to meet the challenge.

This year, the 5th, 6th and 7th grades of Saint Joseph's School (SJS) participated in the project and accomplished a remarkable feat. Out of 137 fifth grade entries, Saint Joseph's School (SJS) was 1 of 2 New York State schools to have all 10 sites correct. Out of 136 sixth grade entries, SJS was the only New York State school to have all ten sites correct. Out of 72 seventh grade entries, SJS was the only New York State school to have all 10 sites correct.

In all grades, SJS was the only New York Archdiocese School to have all 10 sites correct!!!

The Journey North Mystery Class involves fifth stages. First, the project requires the students to calculate the weekly photoperiods for each classroom location. This is determined by the sunrise and sunset times of each location.

Second, with this data, the students make an estimation of the latitudes north or south of the equator. Third, on the vernal equinox, the students must locate the longitudes using mathematical equations. This is determined through the sunset and sunrise data based at the Prime Meridian.

Fourth, in the last four weeks of the project, the students receive weekly interdisciplinary clues that relate to the geography, politics/government, monetary system, ecosystem, fauna/flora, food, flag, and other multicultural facts about the locations. These clues help the students identify exact locations.

The fifth and final stage occurred on April 19, 2011. The students submitted their exact locations with their respective latitudes and longitudes. The competition required the students to research locations such as the Republic of Congo, Argentina, China, Israel, Argentina and Antarctica. Some of the questions the students researched were:

Where is Setswana spoken?
What region of the world lies atop two distinct tectonic plates?
What is a "gwangyoksi?"
What countries have bases in Antarctica and where are they located?
What is a durian and where is it grown ?

On May 13th, our students will have the opportunity to meet their no-longer-mystery friends through videos, pictures and greetings.