Eight inquisitive elementary-aged students joined a team of Burke Museum educators this past summer 2006 to solve an exciting search for lost treasure. The lead character: a mysterious scientist named Dr. Mossbreath. The lost treasure: a valuable collection of iron pyrite missing for decades from the Burke Museum.

While practicing a different physical "sense" each day, the children found clues and notes from the elusive Dr. Mossbreath. Clues led the team of investigators on museum-wide and even campus-wide hunts for pieces to the mystery. One adventure led them to the UW Medicinal Plant Garden and another to the UW Botany Greenhouse. At the end of each hunt, students found clues such as a piece of split cedar, a hazelnut, and a feather.

Students created their own "treasure boxes" to hold their clues and natural objects. Each of these clues later helped the students solve Dr. Mossbreath’s final mystery: the search for the lost treasure.

After the team successfully solved the mystery, Burke Museum Director Julie Stein personally thanked and congratulated them for finding and returning the treasure to the museum. This was followed by an unforgettable appearance by Dr. Mossbreath himself, who helped students to make a tray of ice cream sandwiches disappear.

Designed by Burke Educators Tim Stetter and Maureen Carlisle, “Dr. Mossbreath’s Natural History Mystery” camp allowed a team of young observers to find the natural treasures all around us – treasures we might walk by everyday. From pinecones to fossils to bird songs, the search for treasure is a never-ending adventure – and it’s fun! As eight year-old Joey Miller said, “This is the best adventure ever!”