Lost Star X-Pedition Chest: Hands-On STEM and Science Mystery Kit for Schools

Barnwood Hall Discovery Series
Lost Star X-Pedition Chest: Hands-On STEM and Science Mystery Kit for Schools, Libraries, Museums, and Homeschools
 
A Story-Driven Astronomy Program Built for Group Learning and Repeated Use
 
Welcome to Barnwood Hall Mystery, expanded for institutional learning.
 
The Lost Star X-Pedition Chest transforms the Barnwood Hall story world into a complete STEM and Science program designed for classrooms, libraries, museums, homeschool co-ops, and informal learning environments. Built for durability, flexibility, and scale, this X-Pedition Chest supports both large-group events and multi-session programs.
 
Young explorers join Kit and Oak as they investigate a mysterious light streaking across the night sky. Was it a falling star? A meteorite? Something else entirely? Through guided reading, hands-on investigations, and collaborative discovery, learners explore astronomy concepts while solving the mystery together.
 
Program Use & Implementation
The Lost Star X-Pedition Chest is designed for flexible delivery across institutional settings:
One-Night or One-Day Program
Ideal for family science nights, library events, astronomy programs, or museum workshops
3–5 Session Learning Series
Read chapters together, complete investigations, document findings, and build understanding over time
Multi-Age Group Learning
Activities naturally differentiate for mixed-age groups and varied learning levels
No specialized training is required. Facilitator guidance and assessment tools are included.
 
What’s Included in the X-Pedition Chest
Each Lost Star X-Pedition Chest includes an expanded, classroom-ready collection of materials designed for multiple learners and repeated use.
Story & Reading Materials
Classroom set of 20 illustrated easy-reader mystery books
Curated fiction and nonfiction astronomy titles
Additional recommended resource list with ISBNs for extension and circulation
Hands-On STEM and Science Materials
Astronomy investigations focused on meteors, meteorites, and space rocks
Hands-on modeling of meteorite impacts and landing sites
Build-and-test meteorite models to observe what happens when objects fall from space
Night-sky exploration activities introducing constellations and their stories
Multiple activity stations designed for group rotation
Program Tools
Junior Naturalist Case Files (reproducible for group use)
Assessment, reflection, and documentation tools
Facilitator guidance for flexible implementation
Themed keepsakes and stickers supporting engagement and completion
Durable Equipment
One shared, classroom-grade astronomy equipment piece (such as a telescope), designed to support repeated use and multiple learners
Note: Images show a representative selection of included materials. Final contents may vary slightly by configuration while maintaining full program functionality.
 
The Story
A bright streak flashes across the night sky—and then it’s gone. Kit and Oak race to find where the mysterious light came from and what it really was. As clues lead from the sky to the ground below, young explorers work alongside them to investigate space rocks, track evidence, and uncover the truth behind the lost star.
 
Learning Outcomes
The Lost Star X-Pedition Chest supports:
Astronomy and space science concepts
Understanding meteors, meteorites, and meteor showers
Observation, modeling, and scientific inquiry
Data collection, documentation, and collaboration
Literacy development through story-based STEM learning
All activities are standards-ready, inquiry-based, and appropriate for grant-funded programming across multiple age groups.
 
Designed for Institutions
Built for schools, libraries, museums, and informal learning programs
Durable materials for repeated, multi-group use
Flexible pacing and delivery
Assessment tools included
Supports STEM, Science, and STEAM outcomes
Ideal for grant-funded purchase and reporting
 
Bring Barnwood Hall to Your Community
Lost Star X-Pedition Chests are available in Library, Classroom, and District configurations.
 
📩 Contact us to request institutional pricing, documentation, and availability.
We are happy to support grant applications and program planning.