Junior Detective Badge Workbook

Supplies to complete this badge using the activities in the booklet:

• Ink/stamp pad
• White computer paper
• Clear packing tape

Page 1

The skill of observation is what makes a great detective. We'll warm up the girls' powers of observation with a quick "spot the difference" activity.

Page 2

Learn about cryptology, the study of codes. Here you can expand your meeting by diving into Morse code more. Or you can simply move on after reviewing and learning about codes, ciphers and different types of codes.

Pages 3 and 4

On page 3 the girls learn about the Pigpen Cipher, which is a substitution cipher. This means one symbol represents one letter of the alphabet. Have the girls decipher the message on the page. Then on the next page they'll write their own message about their favorite breakfast food. Have the girls trade codes with another girl to decode the message.

Page 5

The girls will now learn about fingerprints and the different types. They'll use their power of observation to see what type of fingerprints they have and what types their friends have. They can tally in the boxes or write the names down below.

For this activity you can also skip ahead to the fingerprinting section to get a better view of each girl's fingerprint type.

Pages 6 and 7

We want the girls to use their observation powers to solve a mystery. You can do an easier mystery by having the girls observe the room you're in for a few minutes. Then have everyone leave while you remove 5 items. Have the girls come back in and try to identify the 5 items that were removed.

Or you can have more fun with fingerprints:

• Have each girl take her fingerprint using an ink pad, clear packing tape and white paper. Have her make 2 different prints: one for you and one for the rest of the troop to see.
• Once all the girls have made their prints and put their names on them, choose one of the fingerprints (or two or three) to place around the room.
• Have the girls examine each one and try to identify the person. Have them explain why they feel that fingerprint belongs to that girl.

Pages 8 and 9

Lastly, there's a little logic puzzle for them to solve. To make this harder, you can have the girls just LISTEN to you read the clues. This additional "power of observation" task focuses on their listening skills. You could read it to them twice, and they can take notes and work in groups to solve it.

Or you can have them read it themselves to solve it.

Here's the answer grid: