A strange video supposedly filmed over Aotearoa is spreading fast. Your job is not to guess. Your job is to work out what the evidence can actually support.
ACTIVE OBJECTIVEA strange video supposedly filmed over Aotearoa is spreading fast. Your job is not to guess. Your job is to work out what the evidence can actually support.
WORLDMEDIA CITY
SEQUENCE01 / 08
REWARDVIRAL VERDICT
BEFORE YOU START
Get set for this mission.
You can complete the essential lesson on this page. You do not need to print anything.
YOU NEED
Required: a device with this page open.
Optional: headphones for video or read-aloud.
Optional: pen + paper for rough working if that helps you think.
HOW TO DO IT
Read or listen to the Briefing + Learn.
Do the interactive mission.
Use the reading and maths/data evidence.
Make your decision and add the Project HQ step.
Play the weekly game if you want, then complete Check-in.
WORK YOUR WAY
Short bursts are fine. Use Learning Tools for easier reading, read-aloud, less on screen, stronger contrast, no-rush and quieter-screen options.
If a question feels hard, go back to the worked teaching, use the hint/feedback, and try one step at a time.
MISSION BRIEFING
A strange video supposedly filmed over Aotearoa is spreading fast. Your job is not to guess. Your job is to work out what the evidence can actually support.
?
@nightwatch_nzFICTIONAL SOURCE · 08:00
CASE OBJECT 01
VIDEO EVIDENCE · 1NEWS · FOOTAGE: ANDY BANKS
“This proves something unexplained is happening. Share before it disappears.”
2,000 views at 08:0046,000 views by 12:00? verified
YOUR CASE: Can this claim be trusted?
✓Separate claims from evidence.
✓Check source, context and corroboration.
✓Read engagement data without being fooled by scale.
✓Write a conclusion that stays within the evidence.
MISSION MEDIA · TED-Ed
How to Choose Your News
Watch for the difference between a claim, a source and evidence.
Captions are controlled inside the YouTube player. If the embed is unavailable, use the YouTube link.
LEARN
Evidence → Meaning → Explanation
Use the Reality Check sequence: CLAIM → SOURCE → EVIDENCE → CORROBORATE → CONCLUSION. A claim is what someone says happened. The source is where that claim came from. Evidence is information that supports, challenges or limits the claim. Corroborate means checking whether another independent source points the same way. Your conclusion should match the strongest evidence and say what is still uncertain. Repetition, confidence and popularity do not make a claim true.
Use the Reality Check sequence: CLAIM → SOURCE → EVIDENCE → CORROBORATE → CONCLUSION. A claim is what someone says happened. The source is where that claim came from. Evidence is information that supports, challenges or limits the claim. Corroborate means checking whether another independent source points the same way. Your conclusion should match the strongest evidence and say what is still uncertain. Repetition, confidence and popularity do not make a claim true.
INTERACTIVE INVESTIGATION
Build the evidence board.
Read each source, then classify what it can actually contribute. Strong does not mean “proves everything”; context does not mean “useless”.
SOURCE 1
Original upload
The oldest available upload includes a date and location but no explanation of what caused the light.
CHOOSE A CLASSIFICATION SOURCE 2
Repost caption
A later account reposts the clip with the caption “government experiment confirmed”. No source is given.
CHOOSE A CLASSIFICATION SOURCE 3
Weather note
Cloud cover and wind direction match the date and general location shown in the original upload.
CHOOSE A CLASSIFICATION SOURCE 4
Expert explanation
A named astronomy educator explains two plausible causes and clearly states what extra evidence would be needed.
CHOOSE A CLASSIFICATION
Classify all four sources correctly. Think about what each source can establish, not whether you like the claim.
INVESTIGATE + ENGLISH · EVIDENCE CASE
The clip everyone is arguing about
By lunchtime, a short night-sky video had been shared thousands of times. Several reposts described the light as proof of a secret experiment, although the earliest upload did not make that claim. A local weather record matched the date and area shown in the clip. An astronomy educator said the footage could have more than one explanation and that the original file, direction of travel and exact recording location would be needed before reaching a firm conclusion.
MAKE THE CALL
Based on the evidence available, is the dramatic claim supported, not supported, or not yet decidable? Explain why.
BUILD YOUR CASE CONCLUSION1. Make the call. 2. Use at least two relevant pieces of evidence. 3. Explain one limitation or uncertainty. 4. Finish with what can responsibly be concluded.Strong structure: My judgement is… The strongest evidence is… However, we still do not know… Therefore…
CASE CONCLUSION: Write 100–150 words answering: What can we responsibly say happened, what evidence supports that, and what is still uncertain?
0/100 words minimum for this writing mission.
CLAIMEVIDENCELIMITATIONCONCLUSION
MATHS + DATA LAB
How fast did it spread?
HOW TO SUCCEEDRead the situation first. Estimate what a sensible answer should look like, choose an efficient calculation, then use the feedback to check your reasoning.For data questions, explain what the number shows — and what it does not prove.
A post rises from 2,000 views to 5,000 views. What is the percentage increase?
WORKED WARM-UP · TRY IT FIRST
Estimate first, then choose the answer.
NOW USE THE SAME THINKINGWork through the viral timeline from guided questions to independent reasoning.
WORKED EXAMPLE · PERCENTAGE CHANGE2,000 → 5,000 views
Increase = 3,000 views. Percentage increase = 3,000 ÷ 2,000 × 100 = 150%. Important: the final 5,000 is 250% of the original, but the increase is 150%.
GUIDED · Q01–Q03Use the timeline and worked example. Every answer reveals what the number can — and cannot — prove.
Q01
Views rise from 2,000 to 5,000. What is the percentage increase?
Increase = 3,000. Divide by the original 2,000: 3,000 ÷ 2,000 × 100 = 150%.
Q02
The post rises from 5,000 views at 8:30 to 12,500 at 9:15. By what percentage did it increase?
The increase is 7,500. 7,500 ÷ 5,000 × 100 = 150%.
Q03
At 10:00 there are 18,000 views and 2,700 reposts. What percentage of views is the repost count?
2,700 ÷ 18,000 × 100 = 15%. This is a ratio, not proof that every repost agrees with the claim.
INDEPENDENT · Q04
Views grow 12,500 → 18,000 in 45 minutes, then 18,000 → 46,000 in 120 minutes. Which interval has the greater average views gained per minute?
5,500 ÷ 45 ≈ 122 views/min; 28,000 ÷ 120 ≈ 233 views/min. The later interval grows faster on average.
INDEPENDENT · Q05
Account A gets 18,000 views from 6,000 followers. Account B gets 46,000 views from 40,000 followers. Which has the larger views-to-followers ratio?
A: 18,000 ÷ 6,000 = 3.0. B: 46,000 ÷ 40,000 = 1.15. A has more views relative to its follower base.
INDEPENDENT · Q06
A graph of 18,000 and 46,000 views starts its vertical axis at 17,000 instead of 0. What is the main risk?
The data values can be accurate while a truncated axis makes the visual difference look much more dramatic.
INDEPENDENT · Q07
At noon the post has 46,000 views. About 15% are estimated to be repost-driven views. Which is the best estimate?
10% is 4,600 and 5% is 2,300, so 15% is about 6,900.
INDEPENDENT · Q08
Which conclusion is best supported by the timeline data alone?
Reach and growth describe spread. They do not establish truth, motive, or what every viewer believed.
OPTIONAL CHALLENGE · OPEN RESPONSE
REASONING CHALLENGE: A creator says “the post grew by 2,300% because it went from 2,000 to 46,000 views.” Check the claim. Calculate the actual percentage increase and explain the difference between percentage increase and final percentage of the original.
0 words · optional
KEEP YOUR SKILLS SHARP
YOUR WEEKLY TRAINING
Four short sessions to spread across your week. Each has six problems and a reasoning mission. Allow about 10–15 minutes per session, and take longer when you need it.
Use paper for working. Enter numbers only; units are shown beside each answer. These are fictional practice scenarios.
0 / 24 correctSESSION 1 · NUMBER CHECK0 / 6
LEARN THE METHOD
Use brackets first, then powers, multiplication/division, and addition/subtraction. For fractions, use a common denominator.
WORKED EXAMPLE
18 + 4 × 3 = 18 + 12 = 30. But (18 + 4) × 3 = 66.
Use a hint
Multiply first: 4 × 3 = 12; add 9 to get 21.
Use a hint
Brackets first: 13 × 3 = 39.
Check the method after trying
4² = 16; subtract 3.
Check the method after trying
One quarter is 6; multiply by 3.
Check the method after trying
1/2 = 2/4, so 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4 = 0.75.
Check the method after trying
(39 − 3) ÷ 4 = 9.
Compare your reasoning after trying
Multiplication is done before addition unless brackets change the order. For example, 2 + 3 × 4 = 14, but (2 + 3) × 4 = 20.
Your example may differ. Check your calculations and whether you explained why.
SESSION 2 · PERCENTAGE DETECTIVE0 / 6
LEARN THE METHOD
Percent means out of 100. Find a percentage of the whole by dividing by 100 and multiplying. For percentage increase, divide the increase by the original.
WORKED EXAMPLE
A count rises from 80 to 100: increase = 20; 20 ÷ 80 × 100 = 25%. The final count is 125% of the original.
Use a hint
25% = 1/4; 28 ÷ 4 = 7.
Use a hint
10% is 28; 5% is 14; add them.
%
Check the method after trying
28 ÷ 140 × 100 = 20%.
%
Check the method after trying
Increase 28 ÷ original 112 × 100 = 25%.
dollars
Check the method after trying
Discount = $14; subtract from $56.
people
Check the method after trying
Group counts: 28 + 56 = 84.
Compare your reasoning after trying
Starting at 100 gives 120, then 20% of 120 is 24. The final count is 96 because the second percentage uses a different whole.
Your example may differ. Check your calculations and whether you explained why.
SESSION 3 · DATA INVESTIGATOR0 / 6
LEARN THE METHOD
Mean = total ÷ count. Median is the middle ordered value (average the middle pair if needed). Mode is most frequent. Range = maximum − minimum.
WORKED EXAMPLE
For 2, 4, 4, 6, 9: mean = 25 ÷ 5 = 5; median = 4; mode = 4; range = 9 − 2 = 7.
Use a hint
Total 56 ÷ 4 = 14.
Use a hint
Ordered: 11, 13, 14, 15, 20; take the middle.
Check the method after trying
19 − 9 = 10.
Check the method after trying
12 occurs three times.
Check the method after trying
Average the middle two: (13 + 17) ÷ 2 = 15.
Check the method after trying
Old total = 44; new total = 75; divide by 5.
Compare your reasoning after trying
A large outlier raises the total and mean. A larger sample can still be biased if it only includes one kind of respondent; selection matters as well as size.
Your example may differ. Check your calculations and whether you explained why.
SESSION 4 · CHANCE LAB0 / 6
LEARN THE METHOD
For equally likely outcomes, probability = favourable outcomes ÷ total outcomes. A probability of 0 is impossible and 1 is certain. Expected counts are predictions, not guarantees.
WORKED EXAMPLE
With 3 red and 7 blue counters, P(red) = 3/10 = 0.3. Over 50 draws with replacement, expect about 15 red, but actual results can vary.
Use a hint
7 out of 28 = 1/4 = 0.25.
Use a hint
3/4 = 0.75.
Check the method after trying
7/14 = 1/2 = 0.5.
Check the method after trying
Expected count = 72 × 1/2. This is not guaranteed.
Check the method after trying
Probability = 1/4; expected count = 36 ÷ 4.
Check the method after trying
There are no yellow counters, so this outcome is impossible.
Compare your reasoning after trying
No. Each independent flip still has probability 1/2 of heads. Earlier results do not force the next outcome.
Your example may differ. Check your calculations and whether you explained why.
Answers and reasoning save on this device when browser storage is available.
PROJECT HQ · TERM 1
PROJECT HQ · PROJECT FILE 01
CHOOSE — select the issue for The Reality Project.
Start something real. Build an idea, test it, improve it, and share it. Make your move.
The Reality Project runs across all nine weeks.
PROJECT HQ · PROJECT FILE 01
CHOOSE
Make your move.
PROJECT JOURNEYWEEK 1 / 9CHOOSE
Start something real. Build an idea, test it, improve it, and share it.
Choose a Reality Project issue you can investigate with evidence. Keep it specific enough to finish in nine weeks.
THIS WEEKCHOOSE
Complete only this project step today. Your saved work carries forward, so you do not need to finish the whole project at once.
A STRONG STEPSpecific · useful · achievable
Use evidence from this week's mission, name a real audience or purpose, and make the idea small enough to test and improve.
BEFORE YOU SAVE, CHECK:✓ I answered every field clearly✓ I used evidence or reasoning from this week✓ My next step is realistic
Complete each field with enough detail to carry this work into the next week. This step saves on this device as you type.
IDEA→RESEARCH→PLAN→BUILD→TEST→IMPROVE→PRESENT
Project sharing will be optional. A future upload system must keep private submission separate from public-showcase/marketing permission.
CHECK-IN
What changed in your thinking?
CASE SUBMITTEDVERDICT MODE UNLOCKED
GAME BREAK · SIGNAL VERIFICATION
VIRAL VERDICT
Scan the feed. Trust the evidence, not the vibe.
SCORE0 STREAK0
MEDIA CITY // VERIFICATION BAYLIVE FEED ANALYSIS
◆
VERIFICATION BAY // STANDBYGAME LOCKED
Finish the weekly learning and check-in to unlock Viral Verdict.
HOW TO PLAYRead the source, claim and evidence clues. Then choose the strongest verdict.
✓ CHECKED
Use when the evidence is traceable and strong.
? NEED MORE
Use when the claim is plausible but evidence is incomplete.
! DODGY
Use when there are clear warning signs, overclaims or missing sources.
Controls: tap or click a verdict button. Keyboard: Tab selects a button; Enter or Space chooses it. Wrong answer? You will see the stronger verdict and can sharpen your judgement on the next post.
POST 1 / 8VERIFY MODE
Choose the verdict that best matches the evidence.
VERIFICATION COMPLETESIGNAL CLEARED
01ICONIC GAMES
YOUR WEEKLY GAME · TERM 1 / WEEK 1
Maze Chase
Collect every signal. Power orbs let you catch the trackers.
01BRIEF
02LEARN
03INVESTIGATE
05DECIDE
07PROJECT
08CHECK-IN