MISSION VERIFIED
Classroom tested. Teacher designed. Safe at home.
Designed by Darin Carr (BScDip Ed)
Practising NESA accredited
Australian Science Teacher
★ 30+ years of classroom experience
MISSON PROGRESS
young scientists have completed this mission.
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LATEST TEACHER FEEDBACK
"The kids loved it. I also liked how it helped structure their thinking and predicting".
Year 6 Science Specialist
Mr Tam
Before you investigate... watch the mystery
MISSION HOOK
Professor Picklebottom and the team are travelling and collecting amazing science mysteries.
✔ Coming in Term 1 2027
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Mission Equipment
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
4 small clear cups or containers
Plain flour
Table salt
Bicarbonate of soda
Dried yeast
Warm water
White vinegar
Sugar
4 teaspoons
Magnifying glass (optional)
Paper towel
Safety glasses
Let’s Investigate
Follow the missions steps below to solve the mystery.
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which one do you think came from something that was once alive?
Which do you think is a mineral?
Record your predictions.
1
Explore the Mystery Powders
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which one do you think came from something that was once alive?
Which do you think is a mineral?
Record your predictions.
1
Explore the Mystery Powders
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which one do you think came from something that was once alive?
Which do you think is a mineral?
Record your predictions.
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which one do you think came from something that was once alive?
Which do you think is a mineral?
Record your predictions.
Mackey
Tutankhamun's Mystery Powders
While exploring Tutankhamun's tomb, archaeologists discovered four mysterious jars filled with unknown powders.
Were they medicines? Crushed plants? Ancient make-up? Precious minerals?
Scientists don't guess—they collect clues.
Join Macky as you investigate each mystery sample using careful observations and simple scientific tests.
Can you gather enough evidence to identify which powders may have once come from living things and which are minerals?
Ages
9-12 yrs
Duration
min
15
Difficulty
Medium
Stage
Stage 2-3
Cite this resource
Created by Darin Carr (BSc, DipEd)
NESA Accredited Teacher · Chemistry & Physics Specialist · 30+ years in-class teaching
Resource Version: 1.0
First Published:
Last Updated:
20 July 2026
The Crazy Scientist LAB Learning System™
Every experiment follows The Crazy Scientist Lab Learning System™ — a simple way to help kids think like real scientists.
We
-
LINK to what they already know,
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ACTIVATE curiosity through hands-on discovery
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BUILD understanding that actually sticks.
Have you ever found something mysterious?
Maybe an unusual rock, an old coin, a strange seed or an unknown powder.
If you discovered a mysterious jar inside a 3,000-year-old Egyptian tomb, how would you know what it contained?
Scientists don't guess.
They observe, test and collect evidence before making a conclusion.
Today, you'll become an archaeological science detective.
Before anyone tells you the answers...
You'll investigate four mystery powders from Tutankhamun's tomb.
As you work, remember one important question:
Could this powder have once been part of a living thing?
You'll gather clues by:
making careful observations
comparing the powders
carrying out simple scientific tests
recording your evidence
Every clue brings you one step closer to solving the mystery.
You solved the mystery by collecting evidence just like a real archaeologist.
But how do scientists decide whether something is alive—or once came from a living thing?
They use a checklist called MRS GREN.
Living things show these life processes:
Movement
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition
Not every test is possible with ancient materials, but scientists look for clues that these life processes once occurred.
In today's investigation, the yeast became active when you added warm water and sugar. That was evidence it was made of tiny living organisms.
The other powders behaved differently because they were minerals or materials that no longer carry out the life processes of living things.
The important lesson?
Scientists don't decide by appearance alone—they collect evidence and compare it with what they already know about living things.
"Want the full teacher guide? The Crazy Scientist Lab includes classroom delivery tips, how to manage the WOW moment, differentiation for Stage 2 & 3, — ready to teach tomorrow."
Think Like a Scientist
Scientists don't just do ONE experiment; they change one part of the experiment (independent variable) and then see how it affects another part of the experiment
(dependent variable)
Change ONE variable and test again.
Does the type of liquid used affect the results you observe? (lemon juice, salt water etc)
Does using more powder make it easier to identify the mystery?
Dr Puddledrip’s Science Tip
🧪 Try it! Change ONE thing and test again. What did you discover?
Want to go deeper? Tap a section below to explore. ▼
The Science Behind It (Text)
Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.
The Science Behind It (Graphic)
Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.
Extension: HPGE / Gifted Learners
Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.
Vocabulary
Classification
Sorting objects or organisms into groups based on their features.
Organism
A living thing that carries out the life processes in MRS GREN.
Evidence
Observations and test results that help scientists make a conclusion instead of guessing.
Know a parent or teacher who'd love this? Send it on! 👇
READY TO TEACH THIS
TOMORROW?
Running the experiment is easy; however, teaching it well is another challenge.
Teachers often ask:
How do I adapt this for Stages 1,2 or 3?
What misconceptions will they have?
What syllabus outcomes does it cover?
What do I do with fast finishers?
How do I structure this for a full class?
What do I say when they ask WHY?
BUILD AROUND THE LAB LEARNING SYSTEM™
Every resource is designed using our teaching framework.
Continue Your Discovery
One simple experiment can lead to amazing discoveries in science, history, engineering and the real world. Where would you like to explore next?
Every resource is designed using our teaching framework.
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Try Another Crazy Experiment
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