Step aboard one of history’s strangest sea stories! In this History Mystery investigation, students become detectives to solve the case of the Mary Celeste, the ghost ship found drifting with no crew. Through engaging narrative reading, case-file analysis, theory cards, and a hands-on STEM floating-ship challenge, learners use critical thinking, inference, and evidence-based reasoning to uncover possible explanations behind the disappearance.

🕵️‍♀️ What’s Included
✅ Full teacher guide with standards alignment (ELA, NGSS, Social Studies)
✅ Student narrative: The Mary Celeste — Ghost Ship of the Atlantic
✅ Case File & Theory Cards (6 possible theories)
✅ Investigation Chart + Final Report Worksheet
✅ Floating Foil Ship STEM Challenge instructions
✅ Printing & Prep guide for easy setup

💡 Skills and Standards Practiced

• Analyzing informational texts (RI 4.1–5.3)
  

• Writing opinions with evidence (W 4.1–5.1)
  

• Collaborative discussion (SL 4.1–5.1)
  

• Engineering design process (3-5 ETS1-1 to ETS1-3)
  

• Applying historical reasoning & geography concepts
  

🎯 Perfect For:

• 4th–5th Grade ELA or STEM integration
  

• History detective units or Critical Thinking Fridays
  

• Homeschool project days
  

• Sub plans or extension activities
  

🧭 Learning Goals:
Students will …

• Read a primary-style narrative and analyze historical mystery details.
  

• Evaluate six possible theories and defend their own conclusion using evidence.
  

• Design and test a floating ship prototype using STEM principles.
  

📦 Class Options:

• One-day 90-minute lesson or 2–3 day mini-unit