Welcome to this week’s mystery photo classroom activity!
Your challenge is to observe, think critically, and use evidence to figure out what this mystery photo shows. It’s something you see all the time, but zoomed in so close that it looks totally different.
Here’s what to do:
- Study the photo carefully.
- Write your best guess in the comments.
- Explain why you think that. Use clues like color, shape, texture, or material.
Remember — this isn’t just guessing. You’re using reasoning and observation skills, just like scientists do.
(Hint: This object might be something you’ve used today!)
Why We’re Doing This Mystery Photo Classroom Activity
This activity helps you think like a scientist and strengthen your observation skills. You’ll practice explaining your reasoning, finding evidence, and supporting your ideas — all skills you need in science and in life.
Use what you know about materials, patterns, and everyday objects to figure out what the image might be. Discuss your ideas with classmates and see who notices the smallest details.
At the end of the week, we’ll reveal what the mystery photo actually is.
Think, Observe, and Explain
Take one last look at the photo. What details stand out?
Is it metal, plastic, or something else? What could it be used for?
Post your answer and reasoning below — and don’t forget to check back to see if your guess was right!
When you’re finished, check out the rest of our blog for more tips, ideas, and activities to help you learn and grow. Be sure to follow our classroom Instagram page for behind-the-scenes moments, project highlights, and fun updates. Let’s work together to make learning fun, exciting, and something you look forward to every day!
29 Responses
In my opinion I think its a candle because it kinda has that candle wax look but I don´t know thats just what I think.
I believe in the photo that the mystery blue or purple goop is lint, I feel like whats in the mystery container is most likely baking soda, or laundry detergent that you put in the washing machine. I would feel like this could be an expired drink or an expired liquid that was sitting out for too long and is collecting dust or making mold. This could also be the type of goop you would find in your clothes after putting it in the washing machine ( or the dryer. ) After looking at this photo very closely, I begin to think that it could be just some lint with a lot of baking soda inside that just sat out and dried.
I think that the image is a bone of something, possibly and animal or a persons leg under a microscope. But think that is a bone.
What I think is like a candle because that is like rot or bacteria on it. But I think it is something else.
I think its a tooth and the black on it is plague build up. I think this because of the fact the white part of the image looks very similar to the cooler of teeth. the black also looks like dirt and bacteria.
In the photo the blue or purple color is the bust in your clothes that you are wearing because the color is blue or purple like the busts when mixed together. the texture looks fuzzy and soft and the material is so soft.
I think the photo is a bone with bacteria on it because the way the top looks is like a top of a bone. Also another thing is that the color is like the color of a bone. Also I think it is bacteria because it looks like the bone is old and has a lot of bacteria.
I believe this object is a brush bristle. I believe this is because after use, it usually becomes flat at the top. I also think the blue substance is dirt, dust, or bacteria. After being used, it sticks to the object. The material also looks rough, making it easier to clean something. The shape is tall, which bristles usually are. I believe this object is a brush bristle because of how it’s shaped and looks.
It kinds looks like candle wax and it looks like it grew mold that looks like spider webs.
There is lot of webs like stuff but it could be something that can come out of clothing and another things.
I think its a birthday candle because it kinda looks like wax and the purple bits are just the melted wax.
I think it is a candle with different colored wax and they painted it to look like spider web for it can trick us. To think it is something ells.
I think it’s a candle because it looks like wax.
I think this image is a toothbrush. My reasoning is because of the colors, white fading to orange seeming like a singular bristle. It also appears damaged and hairy like a regular toothbrush when we use it. The shape is also a good clue because its shaped almost like a cylinder, similar to bristles.
I think it is fuzz from clothes like sweaters and other things too, I think this because it looks fuzzy and soft not something like wax from something, and also in the image it looks like the parts of it are intertwined together so its not like it is all different pieces.
In the photo, the blue or purple color is the bust of the clothing you’re wearing because the color is blue or purple like the busts when they’re mixed together. The texture looks fuzzy and soft, and the material is very soft, cozy, or warm. It depends on your personality and whether you’ll like it.
What I think is that wex but it did not look like it and also there was purple color in the photo in the clothes.
I think its a animal bone with funges growing on it.
In my opinion I think it’s a human hair. That purple could be dandruff, and the strange texture is alike of a human hair.
I personally think it is a tooth brush because it is something you use daily, and the dirty bacteria could be build up do to your dirty ah teeth in the morning, or at night after eating all the junk food or food in general. In the picture it looks like a bristle.
I think its a pencil, I think this because the object looks like wood of some type. I think the purple stuff on it is maybe the bacteria from someone’s hand or maybe something else that has gotten on it. So. in my opinion I think it’s a pencil.
I think its a candle with silly string because it looks like wax covered in dollar tree silly string.
I think it’s a candle and a purple wax is coming down .
it kinda looks like a eraser that was used
I think the item is a tooth brush because the purple goo is something you might’ve ate and got it stuck onto the tooth brush.
In the photo I think it is a toothbrush because I used that today.
I think it is a candle because the bits look like wax.
I think it’s the brush part of a toothbrush.
I think its a toothbrush Brussel because it could be a single Brussel and the purple stuff could be toothpaste leftover.