How to Mystery

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Description

This resource provides a structured guide on implementing Mystery Games as an engaging pedagogical tool to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration in the classroom. It outlines a step-by-step approach to designing and facilitating mystery-based learning activities, where students analyse fragmented information, identify connections, and develop reasoned conclusions.

The Mystery Game method is particularly effective in interdisciplinary learning, including themes of Sustainability Citizenship, as it encourages learners to explore complex systems, ethical dilemmas, and real-world challenges through structured inquiry. The resource supports active engagement by incorporating diverse materials such as text, visuals, maps, and statistical data, making it adaptable to different learning styles.

Key pedagogical approaches include Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Inquiry-Based Learning, and Cooperative Learning, enabling students to evaluate evidence, construct arguments, and communicate findings effectively. The guide also highlights differentiation strategies, allowing teachers to adjust complexity by modifying information card content, integrating multimedia resources, or varying the number of clues provided.

Ideal for educators across disciplines, this resource fosters deeper learning by immersing students in decision-making and investigative processes, reinforcing essential 21st-century skills such as systems thinking, metacognition, and collaboration.

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How to use this resource

This resource provides a step-by-step guide for implementing Mystery Games as an interactive learning tool.

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The resources

Resources in English:

How to Mystery (English – PDF):

• Steps (EN)
• Design (EN)
• Planner (EN)

Resources in German:

How to Mystery (German – PDF)

• Steps (DE)
• Design (DE)
• Planner (DE)

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Learning Outcomes (Teachers)

• Elicit prior knowledge and further develop knowledge and comprehension of key Sustainability Citizenship key concepts, challenging established worldviews and values.
• Apply a range of suitable tools and frameworks to promote student Sustainability Citizenship
• Reflect on practice and examine national curricula to identify opportunities to promote Sustainability Citizenship in interdisciplinary ways and engage with external stakeholders.
• Collaboratively synthesise the knowledge, tools and frameworks to create educational materials and lessons plans adapted to their own local context
• Through workshop activities and communities of practice, build capacity and agency as Sustainability Citizenship educators and leaders.

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Green Competencies

• Embodying Sustainable Values: Supporting Fairness
• Embracing Complexity in Sustainability: Systems Thinking; Critical Thinking; Problem Framing
• Envisioning Sustainable Futures: Futures Literacy; Adaptability
• Acting for Sustainability: Collective Action

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Creative Commons

This resource was created by Cathérine Conradty of Universität of Bayreuth (UBT). 

This adaptation is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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SDGs