🚀 SpaceGrade 1Reading: grades 3-4AdditionSubtractionSkip countingPlace valueMissing addends
The Astro-Station Crystal Caper
Red alert! Someone has sneaked into the reactor room of Astro-Station Nebula and stolen the rare Hyper-Drive Crystal! Without it, our starship is stranded in deep space. The Station Commander needs your help to scan the clues, solve the math puzzles, and catch the sneaky Cosmic Bandit before they escape to another galaxy!
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Space Gear | Infiltration Method | Laser Grip | Helmet Color | Bandit Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Hadfield | Plasma-shield | Disables robot guards | Right-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Stunned by bright flares |
| Kalpana Chawla | Tractor-beam | Decodes computer codes | Left-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Valentina Tereshkova | Tractor-beam | Disables robot guards | Left-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Scott Kelly | Tractor-beam | Bypasses airlocks | Left-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Alan Shepard | Laser-blaster | Disables robot guards | Left-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Sally Ride | Tractor-beam | Bypasses airlocks | Left-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Gene Cernan | Rocket-pack | Sneaks in shadows | Left-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Guion Bluford | Gravity-boots | Disables robot guards | Left-handed grip | Gold space-helmet | Stunned by bright flares |
| Buzz Aldrin | Laser-blaster | Disables robot guards | Right-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| John Glenn | Plasma-shield | Sneaks in shadows | Left-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Peggy Whitson | Rocket-pack | Hacks security cameras | Left-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Al Worden | Rocket-pack | Decodes computer codes | Right-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Stopped by magnetic fields |
| Ed White | Tractor-beam | Decodes computer codes | Left-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Gus Grissom | Tractor-beam | Decodes computer codes | Left-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Stopped by magnetic fields |
| Yuri Gagarin | Rocket-pack | Bypasses airlocks | Right-handed grip | Gold space-helmet | Stopped by magnetic fields |
| Fred Haise | Laser-blaster | Decodes computer codes | Right-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Stunned by bright flares |
| Mae Jemison | Tractor-beam | Bypasses airlocks | Left-handed grip | Gold space-helmet | Stunned by bright flares |
| Neil Armstrong | Laser-blaster | Hacks security cameras | Left-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Stopped by magnetic fields |
| Roger Chaffee | Tractor-beam | Sneaks in shadows | Left-handed grip | Gold space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Jack Swigert | Laser-blaster | Decodes computer codes | Right-handed grip | Bronze space-helmet | Trapped by space-nets |
| Jim Lovell | Tractor-beam | Hacks security cameras | Left-handed grip | Silver space-helmet | Stunned by bright flares |
Clue 1
Addition
The Cosmic Bandit left a trail of broken battery cells. We found one pile near the engine room and another pile by the main hatch. Add them up to find where the Bandit went next!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
16
18
15
2
3
6
5
17
T
16
5
19
15
4
6
19
T
16
2
14
9
3
4
4
3
17
13
8
19
11
12
4
10 + 6 =T
5 + 4 =P
6 + 5 =C
5 + 7 =K
5 + 9 =Y
1 + 2 =A
10 + 9 =O
3 + 5 =L
4 + 2 =N
1 + 3 =S
1 + 1 =B
12 + 6 =H
5 + 10 =E
5 + 8 =R
2 + 3 =D
6 + 11 =I
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
A pack of space probes was damaged during the escape. We had a full crate of spare parts, but the Bandit took some. Subtract the parts we have left from the total to see what is missing!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
4
9
12
5
6
8
2
7
9
12
16
10
11
8
2
9
2
17
7
5
13
9
15
3
19
8
16
1
8 - 4 =W
18 - 3 =P
19 - 8 =A
19 - 3 =T
7 - 4 =R
20 - 1 =I
16 - 8 =N
15 - 9 =U
19 - 9 =H
19 - 7 =F
18 - 5 =V
11 - 9 =D
10 - 5 =O
11 - 4 =L
18 - 9 =E
10 - 9 =S
19 - 2 =G
0/17 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
The emergency lights on the control panel are blinking in a steady pattern. Skip count the flashes to decode the lock code and open the safe!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
U
40
14
27
14
26
36
24
27
16
27
15
14
15
65
15
25
36
26
15
140
27
12
36
16
120
90
15
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50U
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33E
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30P
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140D
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42A
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16B
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28C
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25T
0/14 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
Our space-radar screen is flickering with green dots from the engine trail. Count the groups of ten dots and the extra single dots to read the sector coordinates!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
53
98
99
20
33
72
66
62
42
69
26
98
88
76
98
69
80
98
30
62
78
88
92
30
78
76
98
62
What number has 5 tens and 3 ones?W
What number has 6 tens and 2 ones?S
What number has 7 tens and 2 ones?N
What number has 6 tens and 9 ones?L
What number has 8 tens and 0 ones?M
What number has 3 tens and 3 ones?U
What number has 7 tens and 8 ones?C
What number has 3 tens and 0 ones?T
What number has 8 tens and 8 ones?R
What number has 9 tens and 9 ones?F
What number has 4 tens and 2 ones?I
What number has 2 tens and 6 ones?V
What number has 9 tens and 8 ones?E
What number has 9 tens and 2 ones?A
What number has 6 tens and 6 ones?D
What number has 2 tens and 0 ones?O
What number has 7 tens and 6 ones?H
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
The backup life-support tank needs a full charge to run. We only have some power left in the cells. Find how much more power we need to reach the full charge!
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
2 + ___ = 10
2 + ___ = 14
1 + ___ = 5
4 + ___ = 6
8 + ___ = 19
2 + ___ = 11
3 + ___ = 10
2 + ___ = 8
4 + ___ = 9
5 + ___ = 8
8 + ___ = 9
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain blasts through the blast doors with a laser, then loops the security video to hide their face.
2.The villain stomps over the security sensors using heavy gravity boots, then locks the airlock so nobody can chase them.
3.The villain blasts through the blast doors with a laser, then turns off the robot guards on the way out.
4.The villain flies over the defense turrets with a rocket pack, then slips away through the dark shadows.
5.The villain stomps over the security sensors using heavy gravity boots, then turns off the robot guards on the way out.
6.The villain stomps over the security sensors using heavy gravity boots, then slips away through the dark shadows.
7.The villain stomps over the security sensors using heavy gravity boots, then loops the security video to hide their face.
8.The villain deflects the laser traps with a bright plasma shield, then slips away through the dark shadows.
9.The villain blasts through the blast doors with a laser, then slips away through the dark shadows.
10.The villain flies over the defense turrets with a rocket pack, then loops the security video to hide their face.
11.The villain deflects the laser traps with a bright plasma shield, then turns off the robot guards on the way out.
12.The villain grabs the star crystal from afar with a tractor beam, then types a secret override to unlock the vault.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Astro-Station Crystal Caper
Culprit: Peggy Whitson (Rocket-pack · Hacks security cameras · Left-handed grip · Silver space-helmet · Trapped by space-nets)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE BANDIT DOES NOT BYPASS AIRLOCKS"10 + 6 = 16 (T) · 5 + 4 = 9 (P) · 6 + 5 = 11 (C) · 5 + 7 = 12 (K) · 5 + 9 = 14 (Y) · 1 + 2 = 3 (A) · 10 + 9 = 19 (O) · 3 + 5 = 8 (L) · 4 + 2 = 6 (N) · 1 + 3 = 4 (S) · 1 + 1 = 2 (B) · 12 + 6 = 18 (H) · 5 + 10 = 15 (E) · 5 + 8 = 13 (R) · 2 + 3 = 5 (D) · 6 + 11 = 17 (I)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "WE FOUND LEFT HANDED GLOVE PRINTS"8 - 4 = 4 (W) · 18 - 3 = 15 (P) · 19 - 8 = 11 (A) · 19 - 3 = 16 (T) · 7 - 4 = 3 (R) · 20 - 1 = 19 (I) · 16 - 8 = 8 (N) · 15 - 9 = 6 (U) · 19 - 9 = 10 (H) · 19 - 7 = 12 (F) · 18 - 5 = 13 (V) · 11 - 9 = 2 (D) · 10 - 5 = 5 (O) · 11 - 4 = 7 (L) · 18 - 9 = 9 (E) · 10 - 9 = 1 (S) · 19 - 2 = 17 (G)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "USE SPACE NETS TO TRAP THE BANDIT"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ___, 45, 50 = 40 (U) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (E) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (P) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, ___, 130, 140 = 120 (D) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (A) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (B) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (C) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (T)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "WE FOUND SILVER HELMET SCRATCHES"What number has 5 tens and 3 ones? = 53 (W) · What number has 6 tens and 2 ones? = 62 (S) · What number has 7 tens and 2 ones? = 72 (N) · What number has 6 tens and 9 ones? = 69 (L) · What number has 8 tens and 0 ones? = 80 (M) · What number has 3 tens and 3 ones? = 33 (U) · What number has 7 tens and 8 ones? = 78 (C) · What number has 3 tens and 0 ones? = 30 (T) · What number has 8 tens and 8 ones? = 88 (R) · What number has 9 tens and 9 ones? = 99 (F) · What number has 4 tens and 2 ones? = 42 (I) · What number has 2 tens and 6 ones? = 26 (V) · What number has 9 tens and 8 ones? = 98 (E) · What number has 9 tens and 2 ones? = 92 (A) · What number has 6 tens and 6 ones? = 66 (D) · What number has 2 tens and 0 ones? = 20 (O) · What number has 7 tens and 6 ones? = 76 (H)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 10) → Peggy Whitson2 + ___ = 10 = 8 · 2 + ___ = 14 = 12 · 1 + ___ = 5 = 4 · 4 + ___ = 6 = 2 · 8 + ___ = 19 = 11 · 2 + ___ = 11 = 9 · 3 + ___ = 10 = 7 · 2 + ___ = 8 = 6 · 4 + ___ = 9 = 5 · 5 + ___ = 8 = 3 · 8 + ___ = 9 = 1
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Place value, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Astro-Station Crystal Caper — set in Astro-Station Nebula
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects