Students learn safety and problem-solving through hands-on Halloween mystery

Students in Anna Kittredge’s family and consumer science classes have been diving into their safety and communication unit, learning how preparation, collaboration, and clear communication play a role in keeping themselves and others safe, both in and out of the classroom.

Earlier in the week, students worked with chef Dave Stokna to learn basic kitchen safety and practice cooking their own eggs. The hands-on lesson emphasized the importance of preparation and following directions carefully, reinforcing that students learn best through real-world experiences.

The next day, Kittredge put those lessons to the test with a Halloween twist. When students arrived, they found Kittredge “unconscious,” surrounded by a series of mysterious clues: a pot of boiling water left on the stove, a rusty blade in the dish rack, a steak thawing in the sink, and an oil spill near their teacher. Working together, students had to examine the evidence, communicate with one another, and follow instructions to piece together what happened, all without any direct adult help.

By the end of the activity, students not only solved the mystery but also gained a deeper understanding of how safety and teamwork connect in everyday situations. Through both the cooking lesson and the Halloween mystery, Kittredge’s classes experienced firsthand that learning by doing makes the lessons stick.