🚀 SpaceGrade 2Reading: grades 3-4AdditionPlace valueSubtractionSkip countingMissing addends
The Cosmic Canopy Caper
Someone broke into Astro-Dome Alpha and stole the golden hyper-drive engine! The Chief Rocket Engineer needs the Star Patrol to crack the clues and catch the Cosmic Bandit before they escape the orbit.
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 | Special Tool | Astronaut Watch | Space Helmet Visor | Foil Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuri Gagarin | Laser Blasters | Cyber Wrench | Left Handed Watch | Ruby Red Visor | Bright Starlight |
| Michael Collins | Solar Shields | Comm Link | Left Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Magnet Fields |
| Ed White | Gravity Belts | Space Probe | Right Handed Watch | Ruby Red Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| John Glenn | Gravity Belts | Plasma Torch | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Peggy Whitson | Laser Blasters | Cyber Wrench | Left Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Harrison Schmitt | Solar Shields | Plasma Torch | Left Handed Watch | Cobalt Blue Visor | Magnet Fields |
| Guion Bluford | Laser Blasters | Plasma Torch | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Gene Cernan | Solar Shields | Cyber Wrench | Right Handed Watch | Cobalt Blue Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Valentina Tereshkova | Solar Shields | Comm Link | Left Handed Watch | Ruby Red Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Buzz Aldrin | Jetpack Boosters | Plasma Torch | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Alan Shepard | Laser Blasters | Cyber Wrench | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Fred Haise | Solar Shields | Comm Link | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Kalpana Chawla | Jetpack Boosters | Star Map | Right Handed Watch | Ruby Red Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Alexey Leonov | Solar Shields | Cyber Wrench | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Bright Starlight |
| Jack Swigert | Magnetic Boots | Plasma Torch | Left Handed Watch | Cobalt Blue Visor | Bright Starlight |
| Mae Jemison | Jetpack Boosters | Plasma Torch | Left Handed Watch | Cobalt Blue Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Jim Lovell | Laser Blasters | Star Map | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Bright Starlight |
| Judy Resnik | Magnetic Boots | Plasma Torch | Left Handed Watch | Ruby Red Visor | Magnet Fields |
| Sally Ride | Magnetic Boots | Comm Link | Right Handed Watch | Neon Green Visor | Cosmic Dust |
| Ellison Onizuka | Laser Blasters | Cyber Wrench | Right Handed Watch | Ruby Red Visor | Bright Starlight |
| Chris Hadfield | Gravity Belts | Space Probe | Right Handed Watch | Cobalt Blue Visor | Bright Starlight |
Clue 1
Addition
Cadet Leo tallies up the dropped cargo items near the launch pad. Adding the moon rocks together reveals the first clue!
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
80
21
23
75
96
93
87
65
T
80
87
79
23
98
93
79
T
80
50
96
42
42
88
96
50
79
29
29
74
65
93
57
45 + 35 =T
30 + 57 =D
44 + 52 =A
31 + 26 =K
45 + 43 =Y
52 + 41 =N
10 + 19 =M
16 + 26 =R
42 + 23 =I
15 + 8 =E
51 + 47 =S
49 + 25 =L
15 + 6 =H
35 + 15 =C
37 + 42 =O
49 + 26 =B
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Place value
The radar screen flashes a code with tens and ones. Breaking down the digits reveals a secret transmission.
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
80
97
45
61
75
45
72
23
53
62
72
75
84
47
T
80
51
45
72
94
61
72
94
47
76
97
T
80
97
72
75
84
45
84
51
72
T
80
31
97
What number has 8 tens and 0 ones?T
What number has 7 tens and 5 ones?N
What number has 4 tens and 5 ones?E
What number has 7 tens and 2 ones?A
What number has 5 tens and 3 ones?Y
What number has 6 tens and 1 one?S
What number has 5 tens and 1 one?W
What number has 4 tens and 7 ones?I
What number has 9 tens and 7 ones?H
What number has 9 tens and 4 ones?R
What number has 6 tens and 2 ones?B
What number has 3 tens and 1 one?C
What number has 7 tens and 6 ones?G
What number has 2 tens and 3 ones?K
What number has 8 tens and 4 ones?D
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
We check the oxygen tanks to see how much air the thief used. Subtracting the left-over air uncovers a clue.
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
66
68
78
31
23
60
63
87
39
19
23
55
55
T
66
81
27
27
78
60
31
39
54
81
55
52
47
54
60
87
55
T
66
67 - 1 =T
30 - 11 =W
27 - 4 =A
79 - 19 =D
75 - 21 =C
46 - 19 =P
53 - 6 =I
72 - 20 =M
44 - 13 =B
85 - 30 =S
70 - 7 =G
107 - 26 =O
60 - 21 =Y
69 - 1 =H
92 - 14 =E
111 - 24 =U
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
The beacon light blinks in a pattern of repeating numbers. Skip counting the flashes points us to new evidence.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
39
8
28
40
8
12
20
28
28
8
60
6
16
40
20
12
14
40
25
28
65
A
39
10
10
33
28
16
36
28
8
28
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45A
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42C
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75D
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60O
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16G
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80V
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39H
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20S
0/15 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
The fuel scale must balance to exactly one hundred units. Solving for the missing amount unlocks the final data.
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 + ___ = 6
6 + ___ = 11
7 + ___ = 9
9 + ___ = 10
6 + ___ = 9
1 + ___ = 13
7 + ___ = 18
9 + ___ = 15
4 + ___ = 14
4 + ___ = 12
4 + ___ = 11
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain unlocked the cargo bay, then pocketed the glowing fuel core.
2.The villain sneaked through the airlock, then swiped the golden hyperdrive.
3.The villain hacked the mainframe computer, then grabbed the secret plans.
4.The villain sneaked through the airlock, then grabbed the secret plans.
5.The villain zoomed past the satellite, then swiped the golden hyperdrive.
6.The villain bypassed the laser grid, then snatched the flight codes.
7.The villain hacked the mainframe computer, then snatched the flight codes.
8.The villain unlocked the cargo bay, then snatched the flight codes.
9.The villain bypassed the laser grid, then swiped the golden hyperdrive.
10.The villain bypassed the laser grid, then grabbed the secret plans.
11.The villain sneaked through the airlock, then snatched the flight codes.
12.The villain sneaked through the airlock, then pocketed the glowing fuel core.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Cosmic Canopy Caper
Culprit: John Glenn (Gravity Belts · Plasma Torch · Right Handed Watch · Neon Green Visor · Cosmic Dust)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE BANDIT DOES NOT CARRY A COMM LINK"45 + 35 = 80 (T) · 30 + 57 = 87 (D) · 44 + 52 = 96 (A) · 31 + 26 = 57 (K) · 45 + 43 = 88 (Y) · 52 + 41 = 93 (N) · 10 + 19 = 29 (M) · 16 + 26 = 42 (R) · 42 + 23 = 65 (I) · 15 + 8 = 23 (E) · 51 + 47 = 98 (S) · 49 + 25 = 74 (L) · 15 + 6 = 21 (H) · 35 + 15 = 50 (C) · 37 + 42 = 79 (O) · 49 + 26 = 75 (B)
- Clue 2 (Place value): "THE SNEAKY BANDIT WEARS A RIGHT HANDED WATCH"What number has 8 tens and 0 ones? = 80 (T) · What number has 7 tens and 5 ones? = 75 (N) · What number has 4 tens and 5 ones? = 45 (E) · What number has 7 tens and 2 ones? = 72 (A) · What number has 5 tens and 3 ones? = 53 (Y) · What number has 6 tens and 1 one? = 61 (S) · What number has 5 tens and 1 one? = 51 (W) · What number has 4 tens and 7 ones? = 47 (I) · What number has 9 tens and 7 ones? = 97 (H) · What number has 9 tens and 4 ones? = 94 (R) · What number has 6 tens and 2 ones? = 62 (B) · What number has 3 tens and 1 one? = 31 (C) · What number has 7 tens and 6 ones? = 76 (G) · What number has 2 tens and 3 ones? = 23 (K) · What number has 8 tens and 4 ones? = 84 (D)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE BAD GUY WAS STOPPED BY COSMIC DUST"67 - 1 = 66 (T) · 30 - 11 = 19 (W) · 27 - 4 = 23 (A) · 79 - 19 = 60 (D) · 75 - 21 = 54 (C) · 46 - 19 = 27 (P) · 53 - 6 = 47 (I) · 72 - 20 = 52 (M) · 44 - 13 = 31 (B) · 85 - 30 = 55 (S) · 70 - 7 = 63 (G) · 107 - 26 = 81 (O) · 60 - 21 = 39 (Y) · 69 - 1 = 68 (H) · 92 - 14 = 78 (E) · 111 - 24 = 87 (U)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "A NEON GREEN VISOR GLOWED AT THE SCENE"Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (A) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (C) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (D) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60 = 40 (O) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (G) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30 = 20 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80 = 60 (V) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (H) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (S)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 9) → John Glenn2 + ___ = 6 = 4 · 6 + ___ = 11 = 5 · 7 + ___ = 9 = 2 · 9 + ___ = 10 = 1 · 6 + ___ = 9 = 3 · 1 + ___ = 13 = 12 · 7 + ___ = 18 = 11 · 9 + ___ = 15 = 6 · 4 + ___ = 14 = 10 · 4 + ___ = 12 = 8 · 4 + ___ = 11 = 7
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 2 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Place value, Subtraction, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Cosmic Canopy Caper — set in Astro-Dome Alpha on Mars
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects