Date: Time: Class: Lesson Title: Waterfall Mystery Key Question: How did Donny Daredevil Die?

Learning Objectives: All must be able to Describe the features of a waterfall and give examples of waterfalls around the world

Most should be able to the above and… Explain how a waterfall forms and link this to the reason why Donny died!

Some could be able to all the above and… Link time scale into the process of erosion to solve the mystery Resources: Power Point presentation Three sets of information 1. How waterfalls form - animations 2. Newspaper reports 3. Police crime scene reports

Key Words: Erosion Waterfall Niagara Plunge Pool

Teacher Activity Provide Title and Key Question Via Powerpoint – visuals of waterfalls. Starter Activity Prompt discussion of pupil knowledge of famous waterfalls - Introduce Mystery – via PowerPoint, body washed up on bank of Niagara river Organise into working groups – 3 or 4. If large class two separate rotations of 3 groups Main Task Pupils complete carousel of activities, 15 minutes on each to complete tasks to solve mystery. Teacher can act role of an eyewitness or Donny’s assistant to provide a 4th activity Plenary Discuss answers to the key questions

Time

5 mins

5 mins

45 mins

5 mins

Pupil Activity Set up title, date and key question Provide examples of prior knowledge Pupils research the provided documents to build up clues as to how and why Donny Died – linking to knowledge of how waterfalls form. Pupils present their theories as to how Donny Died

Learning Support: Strong literacy component reinforcing the learning and application of key words through a variety of exercises, the main focus this time is visual imagery and use of analogies to reinforce the learning of key concepts Links to further learning: Features of rivers, meanders, applying knowledge of erosion and deposition processes

Niagara Mystery The body of a man has been found on the river bank near to Niagara Falls. Was his death an accident or was it murder? You are to investigate the circumstances that led to this man’s death. You will need to explore the Geography of the Niagara Falls. You will need to read through the witness statements of those who saw and new about this man. You will need to look closely at the scene of the crime. You will need to read newspaper articles about the events. Finally you will have to write a report of all you have found out. Who is this man? How did he die? Why did he die? What sequence of events led to his death? Was foul play involved? Donny Daring the Daredevil from Denver Found dead on the shore of Niagara River, the only clues are some broken pieces of wood. Boasted that he could survive a trip over Niagara Falls in barrel. He spent two years carefully studying and measuring the falls, working out the best and safest point to go over. Hospital report – Died from injuries sustained, multiple broken bones including a fractured skull Did not die from a lack of air Did not drown before going over the falls Niagara Falls Fact File – Maps, height, volume of water…. The Stunt – Newspaper Report Donny Daredevil Dies Doing Dangerous Deed Was there foul play or did he just get it wrong? Yesterday the body of Donny Daredevil was found on the banks of the River Niagara, this follows Saturday’s long awaited stunt when Donny boasted that he would survive going over Niagara Falls in a sealed Barrel. All was going well after Donny was sealed into his Barrel and began floating down the rapids towards the falls, the huge crowd that had gathered cheered expectantly as he approached the edge. Then he went over and disappeared into the mist and we waited and waited but he never appeared. 5 mins, 10 mins, 30 minutes an hour went by, the

All was going well after Donny was sealed into his Barrel and began floating down the rapids towards the falls, the huge crowd that had gathered cheered expectantly as he approached the edge. Then he went over and disappeared into the mist and we waited and waited but he never appeared. 5 mins, 10 mins, 30 minutes an hour went by, the crowds became nervous, then upset, then resigned Donny to his fate. By the evening the shocked crowd had gone home thinking about the tragedy they had come to witness. Donny had planned this stunt for two years, carefully studying the Niagara Falls, measuring every detail leaving nothing to chance. So was this a stunt too far or was there foul play that led to Donny’s death? Donny’s rival… Donny’s assistant Peter Potter who was responsible for sealing Donny into the Barrel denies that the Barrel could be tampered with or and that equipment failure was an unlikely cause of this tragedy. It should be noted that Peter is rumoured to be the sole beneficiary of Donny’s life insurance policy which is worth over £1million. Donny Daring the Daredevil from Denver Crime scene investigation A search of Peter’s laboratory revealed some interesting evidence Satellite images have shown a section of the Horseshoe Falls have collapsed and the waterfall has moved back an extra 2 metres. This has increased the amount of rock debris at the bottom of the falls. This happened two weeks ago but these pictures had a note attached in Peter’s handwriting: This rock fall has scuppered two years of planning, we can not pull out now, we will be made bankrupt, and the loss of television money and ticket sales will be too much. Must not tell Donny about this, the stunt must go ahead!! The barrel used by Donny was made of antique wood and use to contain whisky

Niagara Police Crime scene investigation Date: Sunday 15th June Location: Lab 12b University of Niagara Reason: Death of Donny Daredevil – Suspicious Circumstances Under Investigation: Peter Potter – Donny’s Assistant A search of Peter’s laboratory revealed some interesting evidence:

1. Sate llit e im ages of Niagar a Fall s 2. Bank Statement s

3. Hand writt en notes and Peter ’s diary ent ries

Sate llit e im ages have shown a secti on of t he Horseshoe Fall s have coll apsed and the water fall has moved back and ex tra 2 metres. Thi s has increased th e amount of rock debr is at the bott om of t he fall s. Thi s happened tw o weeks ago but these pictures had a note a tt ached in Peter’s handwriting and some d iary ent ries:

3 rd January

Plans are l ooking good for the Niagara Fal ls s tunt

thi s June , the pol ic e have agreed to let the s tunt take

place and we have a l ot of intere st from tel evi sion

companies. We wil l become world famous and r i ch.

4 th March

The stunt barre l arr ived la st week, looks good and so

i t should i t cost enough. Took i t for a dummy run over

the Niagara fal ls . From the launch si tes the currents

took the barrel down the predicted path and over the

fal l s . We put a dummy inside and made sure i t was the

correct weight. Big success the barrel survived the

fal l s with no major damage.

20 th Apri l

Have requested satel l i te picture s from Nasa, these wil l

te l l us i f the water fal l s suffer any rock fal l s , which is

part of the natural development of water fal l s . We

have studied the fal l s care ful ly for two year s, a rock

fal l now would be a di sa ste r we can not afford.

10 th June

This rock fal l has scuppered two years of planning, we

can not pul l out now, we wi l l be made bankrupt, and

Central Bank of Niagara Statement of funds for Donny Daredevil May Payment Amount Balance Opening Balance Pizza Rent Local Tax Supermarket Petrol Station Insurance Motorbike Loan Gas Company Electric Company Telephone Company DVD Shop Closing Balance

$20.00 $300.00 $50.00 $100.00 $30.00 $40.00 $100.00 $40.00 $35.00 $25.00 $30.00

$500.00 $480.00 $180.00 $130.00 $30.00 $0.00 -$40.00 OD -$140.00 OD -$180.00 OD -$215.00 OD -$240.00 OD -$270.00 OD -$270.00 OD

Central Bank of Niagara Statement of funds for Donny Daredevil June Payment Amount Balance Opening Balance Stunt Barrel Company Rent Local Tax Supermarket Petrol Station Stuntman Suit Company Motorbike Loan Gas Company Electric Company Telephone Company Closing Balance

$1000.00 $300.00 $50.00 $180.00 $50.00 $350.00 $100.00 $40.00 $35.00 $25.00

-$270.00 -$1270.00 -$1570.00 -$1620.00 -$1800.00 -$1850.00 -$2200.00 OD -$2300.00 OD -$2340.00 OD -$2375.00 OD -$2400.00 OD -$2400.00 OD

Warning, you are now overdrawn and beyond your credit limit. You must place funds into your account immediately

Planned route of Donny Daredevil

Edge of Waterfall

No reports of rock falls in the waterfall

All going to plan, route looks the safest possible. Water levels are high and plunge pool deep enough

Satellite Image of Niagara FallsSatellite Image 15th May

Update requested from NASA

New boulders spotted at bottom of waterfall. Waterfall has retreated 2 metres This rock fall is in the main path that Donny Dare Devil intends. Recommended Action

1. Change planned

cour se

2. Cancel St unt

Planned r oute of Donny Dar edevil

New Boulders

at b ottom of

falls

New Edge of Wate r fall.

2 met r es of r ock have

collapsed into plunge pool at

botto m of wate r fall

Satellite Image of Niagara Falls

Satellite Image 10th June

Update requested from NASA

Niagara Times Thursday 16th June $1.50

Donny Daredevil Dies Doing Dangerous Deed

The body of Donny Daredevil was found washed up on the banks of the Niagara River yesterday, 24 hours after his stunt to ride the Niagara Waterfalls in a barrel went terribly wrong. The stunt, which was two years in the planning, drew huge crowds to watch the spectacle and with live television coverage the audience was in the millions. All was going well after Donny was sealed into his Barrel and began floating down the rapids towards the falls, the huge crowd that had gathered cheered expectantly as he approached the edge. Then he went over and disappeared into the mist

and did not reappear. The crowds waited and waited but he never appeared. After an hour went by the crowds became nervous, then upset, then resigned Donny to his fate. By the evening the shocked crowd had gone home thinking about the tragedy they had come to witness.

Was it an accident or was it murder? Donny had planned this stunt for two years, carefully studying the Niagara Falls, measuring every detail, leaving nothing to chance. So was this a stunt too far or was there foul play that led to Donny’s death? Rumour has i t that Donny had insured his life for $10million and that his assistant Peter Potter is the sole beneficiary in Donny’s will. The police have interviewed Peter and searched his laboratory as part of their investigation. Donny was famous for his meticulous planning, he would examine every detail, nothing was left to chance, this makes this tragedy all the more mysterious. Next to Donny’s body were several pieces of wood from his barrel, scientists are examining the wood

to see if it was tampered with. Video cameras show Donny’s arch rival Dangerous Dave from Detroit acting suspiciously around the stunt barrel an hour before the stunt, he is to be interviewed by the police. Did Donny drown before he went over the Niagara Falls? Did he suffocate from a lack of air? We await the hospital reports on the causes of death

Secrets Discovered

Private Detective Agency Name________________________ Investigation into the death of Donny Daredevil You have been given the task of finding out the events that led to the death of Donny Daredevil. Section 1. Newspaper Reports: Read the newspaper reports carefully, note down any information that may help you find out how and why Donny Daredevil died in the box below.

Secrets Discovered

Private Detective Agency Section 2 Police Reports: You have been given access to the police reports investigating Donny’s death. In the space below note down any information that will help you explain the events that led to his death.

Secrets Discovered

Private Detective Agency Section 3 Investigating the Niagara Waterfall It is important to understand how waterfalls work as this may provide a clue as to how Donny died. Study the information carefully, add notes and a labelled diagram in the space below.

Secrets Discovered

Private Detective Agency Section 4 Interview with Donny’s assistant Peter Potter Think of at least 3 questions to ask Peter that will help you solve this investigation. Write these in the spaces below. Listen carefully to the answers and write the key points.

Question 1 ________________________________________________________ Answer/Notes ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 2 ________________________________________________________ Answer/Notes ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 3 ________________________________________________________ Answer/Notes ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________