What is Cactus Curricula?
Cactus Curricula is a creative middle and high school–level curriculum designed for homeschool families and co-ops. Each course blends forensic science, creative writing, and critical thinking into immersive six-week mystery cases for students to solve.
The curriculum is structured so you don’t have to be a science expert—or a mystery writer—to teach it. We provide everything, including the Teacher’s Edition, Student Pages, labs, writing assignments, and evidence folders. As they work through each case, students can earn credits in Forensic Science with Lab, English/Creative Writing, and Applied Critical Thinking.
There are not any live classes. Everything is hosted on our website and organized week by week. Each mystery is designed to be interactive online, but there’s also a Print Center where you can download student pages, such as lab worksheets, evidence files, and forensic focus questions.
Each mystery includes:
- Weekly story segment—the mystery unfolds step by step
- Evidence files—photos, documents, and reports to analyze
- Forensic science labs & worksheets—hands-on experiments with clear instructions
- Creative writing prompts—students write their version of the case as it develops
- Reflection & critical thinking questions—to process what they’ve learned
- Short forensic videos (some weeks)—add context or a demo to support the lab
- Teacher/Parent Edition—pacing guidance, answer keys, and discussion prompts
Everything is self-paced—no logins or class times required. Families can follow the six-week schedule or move faster/slower to fit their needs.
What are the mysteries?
Each Cactus Curricula mystery is a six-week, story-driven investigation that blends forensic science, critical thinking, and creative writing into a single, immersive experience. Each case begins with a compelling scenario—such as a stolen masterpiece, a suspicious death, or a missing artifact—and unfolds week by week through story segments, evidence files, suspect profiles, and hands-on forensic labs.
Students step into the role of investigator, examining clues, analyzing evidence, and conducting forensic activities to piece together what happened. Alongside the investigation, they write their own version of the case, adding a new chapter each week until they have completed a full six-chapter mystery. Every suspect, clue, and lab result becomes part of both their theory and their final written story.
The six mysteries are:
- Mystery 1: The Case of the Missing Mona Leah
- Mystery 2: The Case of the Boston Burglaries
- Mystery 3: The Case of Hiker Heather Hensley
- Mystery 4: Who Poisoned Paul?
- Mystery 5: The Case of Derk the Caveman
- Mystery 6: Brian the Broken Biker
Who is Cactus Curricula designed for?
Cactus Curricula is designed for middle and high school students, typically ages 13–18. Preteens (11-12) can enjoy it too, though they may need a bit more guidance. The mysteries are flexible enough for older teens to explore advanced science, history, and writing topics, while younger students can still follow along and build skills. Each case blends real-world history and forensic science, encouraging research, discussion, and creative thinking, making it a unique learning experience that doesn’t feel like a typical class.
Is it easy enough for a preteen and rigorous enough for an older teen?
Yes, Cactus Curricula is intentionally designed to be flexible for a wide range of ages, typically 13 to 18.
- Preteens (11-12) can certainly participate, especially with a little guidance from their teacher. The stories are engaging; the labs are hands-on, and the structure is easy to follow. Younger students may need help with more complex science terms or writing assignments, but they can still enjoy and learn from the experience.
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Older teens will find the content well-aligned with high school expectations. The writing assignments become increasingly complex throughout the series, and the science labs cover real forensic concepts using practical, hands-on methods. The labs are designed to be simple—no complicated setups, and most use materials you already have at home.
Here’s a sample of the lab work by mystery:
- Mystery 1: Chromatography, ink analysis, and testing unknown substances
- Mystery 2: Paper and ink aging tests, document analysis, and pigment chemistry
- Mystery 3: Botanical trace analysis, soil testing, and ecological tracking
- Mystery 4: Toxicology, solubility testing, and reaction identification
- Mystery 5: Skeletal analysis, stratigraphy, and artifact examination
- Mystery 6: Crash reconstruction, motion calculations, and impact testing
The science builds as you move through the series, covering multiple branches in a way that supports full lab-based credit while still keeping your role simple from start to finish.
Do I need any prior knowledge of forensic science?
Not at all. Cactus Curricula is designed so you can teach it even if you’ve never taken a forensic science class.
Each mystery includes a step-by-step Teacher’s Edition that walks you through the labs, evidence, and science concepts in plain language. The labs use accessible materials (often household or classroom supplies), and every activity comes with clear instructions and answer keys.
Whether you’re a parent teaching one student or a co-op leader guiding a group, you’ll be learning alongside your students, and that’s part of the fun.
How much teaching time will this require from me?
Cactus Curricula is designed to allow students to work through most of the program independently. The Student Pages and Teacher’s Edition organize each week’s materials with clear, step-by-step instructions. Your role can be as simple as introducing the week, providing the printed (or digital) evidence files, and checking in at key points—such as after the forensic lab or after students complete their weekly writing.
If you have more time, you can join in discussions, labs, and help students prepare their writing. Many working parents and busy homeschool teachers find this flexible format manageable, even with minimal weekly involvement.
What science supplies will I need?
Most forensic labs use inexpensive, easy-to-find household or classroom items. A few activities may require specialty items—such as pH strips or a UV flashlight—but these are listed in the Teacher’s Edition well in advance, so you have time to gather them. We’ve kept supply lists minimal to keep costs low while still providing hands-on, high-quality lab experiences.
Family-Friendly Forensics: What to Expect
Cactus Curricula uses real forensic science in a way that’s family-friendly and not gory. The cases focus on observation, analysis, and problem-solving, not graphic content. All mysteries are fictional and written to be appropriate for middle and high school students. That said, forensic science can occasionally touch on real-world topics.
To support curious learners, the program includes:
Take a Deep Dive Videos—optional video resources that explore topics in the field of forensic science. All videos included in the Student Editions are family-friendly.
Some videos explore more mature concepts (e.g., crime scene work or decomposition). These are provided only in the Teacher’s Edition and clearly marked as “At Teacher’s Discretion” so you can preview and decide what’s right for your student.
Is the curriculum religious or secular?
Cactus Curricula is written as a secular curriculum. The mysteries, science labs, and writing assignments focus on forensic science, creative writing, and critical thinking without including religious instruction.
Because many homeschool families teach from a variety of perspectives, the program is designed to allow you to adapt discussions or writing prompts to fit your family’s worldview, if you wish.
Can I purchase a single mystery, or do I have to buy the entire series?
Absolutely, you may purchase a single mystery! Each mystery is fully self-contained and includes everything you need:
- Weekly story chapters and evidence
- Forensic science labs
- Writing prompts and assignments
- Creative and critical thinking activities
- Student Edition (either Solo or Group versions), along with a free Teacher’s Edition
If you love it, you can continue with the next one at any time. When we release all the mysteries (Spring 2026), the full six-mystery bundle will be available. There's no requirement to buy the entire series up front.
Do you recommend completing the mysteries in order?
Yes, we recommend starting with Mystery 1: The Case of the Missing Mona Leah, especially for students new to the program. The series is designed to build both writing skills and forensic investigation techniques over time, with each mystery introducing a new narrative structure and deeper storytelling tools.
Here’s how the writing progression unfolds across the six mysteries:
- M1: Red Herrings—Learning how to mislead readers (in a fun way!)
- M2: Three-Act Structure—Mastering beginning, middle, and end
- M3: Flashbacks—Using the past to reveal hidden truths
- M4: Depth of Detail—Strengthening voice and vivid word choice
- M5: Protagonist vs. Antagonist—Exploring dual perspectives
- M6: Frame Narrative—Telling a story within a story
Students can complete each mystery independently, but following the series in order helps them naturally develop their writing confidence and narrative complexity.
What are the projected release dates?
- August 22—Mystery 1: The Case of the Missing Mona Leah
- October 3—Mystery 2: The Boston Burglaries
- November 14—Mystery 3: The Case of Hiker Heather Hensley
- January 2—Mystery 4: Who Poisoned Paul?
- February 20—Mystery 5: Derk the Caveman
- April 3—Mystery 6: Brian the Broken Biker