Teacher guide · Curious Lab · Medium · about 32 min

🧭 Map Master Expedition

Pupils practise curiosity and problem solving through "Map Master Expedition": Navigate the world with grid references, compasses and climate clues.

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 🧭 mission title and read the opening: "You face north and turn 90° clockwise. Which way now?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Sniff the Beagle's line as your prompt: "Great question! Ready to dig one layer deeper? Pick your next mission below."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 7 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used curiosity today.

What was the hardest choice in "Map Master Expedition", and why?
You face north and turn 90° clockwise. Which way now — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Contour lines very close together mean… — explain your reasoning to a partner.
So which biome are you in — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Where could you use curiosity outside school this week?
If you did this again, what would you change?

Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.

Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.

National Curriculum: Science: working scientifically — asking questions and observing
National Curriculum: Geography/History: enquiry and using sources
PSHE: Living in the wider world: media literacy and checking information

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. You face north and turn 90° clockwise. Which way now?
☐ East
☐ West
☐ South
2. Match each map symbol to what it means.
Blue line → ________________
Brown contour lines → ________________
Green patches → ________________
Small cross → ________________
3. Contour lines very close together mean…
☐ A steep slope
☐ Flat ground
☐ Deep water
4. Order these from hottest climate to coldest.
___ Arctic
___ Desert
___ Grassland
___ Mountains
___ Rainforest
5. Where is your expedition? Check the readings.
Clue — Temperature: 28°C and humid, every single day.
Clue — Rainfall: Heavy rain most afternoons, all year.
Clue — Wildlife: Tree frogs, parrots and layers of tall trees.
6. So which biome are you in?
☐ Rainforest
☐ Desert
☐ Tundra
7. Plan a 3-day route for your team and say what you'd pack.