At the school fair, our CAS stall was a hive of activity as the clock approached Pi Day. This year, we provided something special: a murder mystery solved mathematically that revealed the mysterious idea of Nash Equilibrium. Allow me to walk you through our exhilarating event, in which participants assumed the role of detectives and used mathematical skills to solve a crime.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth. For many, delving into a murder mystery laced with mathematical complexities was uncharted territory. Yet, as they immersed themselves, participants identified their strengths and honed new skills. From deciphering cryptograms to analyzing game theory, each challenge fostered personal growth and resilience.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills. During our Pi Day CAS, participants enthusiastically took on a variety of tasks that promoted skill development and personal growth. Every challenge, from solving puzzles to understanding game theory, encouraged the growth of resiliency and new skills. Participants improved their analytical thinking, sharpened their problem-solving abilities, and increased their mathematics knowledge as they worked through the intricate details of the murder investigation. With persistence, they demonstrated that they were prepared to take on obstacles and come out on top, with a useful toolset of abilities sharpened by hands-on learning.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience. Participants demonstrated unrelenting devotion and tenacity as the mystery grew. They worked together nonstop, not letting setbacks stop them from coming up with plans and solving puzzles. They became living examples of what it means to persevere in the face of difficulty by traveling this route.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively. With a collaborative mindset, the participants combined their varied backgrounds and viewpoints, working together to solve the issue. Every input enhanced the group experience and promoted unity and team spirit. They recognized the value of working together to overcome difficult obstacles.

LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance. Participants explored the wider ramifications of their actions in addition to the excitement of the mystery. They considered the moral implications of their decisions, realizing how important they were to the entire world. By means of analytical discourse, they interacted with matters of justice and equity, expanding their horizons.

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions. Participants in our Pi Day CAS event not only solved the murder case but also considered the moral ramifications of their choices. During the course of the inquiry, they conversed about justice, responsibility, and integrity as they considered the effects of their decisions and the justice of their interpretations. Participants had a greater understanding of the moral implications of their acts by taking these ethical dimensions into account, which encouraged critical thinking and ethical investigation.

Learner profile attribute: Thinker In the middle of the mystery and excitement, participants reflected the IB Learner Profile’s thinker attribute. They used a methodical approach to solving the puzzle, going behind the scenes to reveal secrets. They were the perfect example of what it meant to be a thinker because of their aptitude for solving problems and intellectual curiosity.

Looking back, our Pi Day CAS experience was more than just fun; it was a perfect example of how interdisciplinary learning can change people. Together with newly acquired knowledge and unforgettable experiences, the participants left with the permanent impression of a mathematical murder mystery solved by teamwork, tenacity, and the unwavering spirit of inquiry.