Whodunnit Science Activities: Turn Science Review into a Classroom Mystery
Whodunnit science activities transform science review into a mystery investigation where students solve questions to uncover clues and identify the criminal.
Instead of completing traditional worksheets, students answer science questions that reveal clues about the criminal, the location, and the method. By the end of the activity, students must piece together the evidence to solve the case.
With dozens of science topics available across life science, earth science, and physical science, Whodunnits allow teachers to turn almost any science unit into a collaborative mystery. Each Whodunnit is aligned to our reading articles which are included. The topics below highlight some of the most popular investigations used in classrooms.
What are Whodunnit Science Activities?
Whodunnit science activities combine academic practice with a mystery-solving game.
Students solve a set of science problems, and each correct answer reveals clues or eliminates suspects. By the end of the activity, students must determine:
- Who committed the crime
- Where the crime occurred
- What method was used
This turns science review into a logic puzzle where every question helps students move closer to solving the mystery.
Earth Science Whodunnit Activities
- Plate Tectonics
- Earth’s Layers
- Weathering and Erosion
- Natural Disasters
- Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Life Science Whodunnit Activities
- Cells and Cell Structures
- Genetics
- Biomes
- Human Body Systems
- Plant Structures
Physical Science Whodunnit Activities
- Atoms
- States of Matter
- Energy
- Motion
- Simple Machines
These examples represent just a portion of the available mysteries. Explore the full library of investigations covering many more science topics.
Why Whodunnit Science Activities Work
- Students stay engaged because they want to solve the mystery
- Every science question reveals a clue
- Activities encourage logical reasoning and deduction
- Review feels like a game instead of a worksheet
More Mystery and Puzzle Science Activities
If your students enjoy solving science mysteries, you may also like these other interactive science activity formats.
- CSI Science Activities – Students investigate scientific claims and analyze evidence while solving problems to uncover the truth.
- Escape Room Science Activities – Students apply scientific concepts to solve puzzles and unlock clues in a collaborative escape room challenge.