Curriculum Modules

Overview

Crime Scene IT project staff, in partnership with New York City teachers, developed five mystery modules that correlate with the NY State learning standards for Living Environment, Ecology, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physical Science.

Each Crime Scene IT mystery module is made up of a series of mix-and-match lessons and include optional pre-lab lessons that a teacher can use to make sure his or her class has the required prior knowledge of a concept before bringing the technology tools to bear on an investigation that requires application of the same concept. Each mystery module also includes optional extension lessons with correlations to learning standards in other subjects for schools that are interested in taking a cross-curricular approach to learning. Supporting materials will enable teachers to introduce students to professional career opportunities in IT.

Crime Scene IT modules provide a rich context for investigation of curriculum concepts that teacher are already planning to cover. Learning science by solving a non-violent "mystery" or "crime" is highly motivational to students and provides a natural framework for student-centered, inquiry-based investigations. Students use technology in authentic ways that support inquiry, critical thinking and science content learning.

When lesson plans and supporting materials have been field-tested and revised to our satisfaction they will be available for download. Please check back in early 2007. All technology and other equipment — from laptops to test tubes — is included in Portable Labs available free of charge to participating teachers who have participated in professional development training.

Design Rationale

New York City teachers (just like teachers everywhere) are required to teach certain topics at certain times and do not have the time or the freedom to teach anything perceived as "extra." Nor do teachers have the time during their busy school year to create new lessons that incorporate new technologies that they have only recently learned themselves.

By focusing on forensic science, an interdisciplinary field that brings science and technology to bear on solving crime, Crime Scene IT integrates it skills learning with hands-on, inquiry-based learning across a broad range of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math topics. Crime Scene IT gives all middle- and high-school science teachers regardless of their specializations, the opportunity to incorporate forensic science and digital tools into their classes in a way that supports, rather than competes with, their mandated curricula.

The more emphasis teachers and school administrators place on teaching Science in an inquiry-based way the better students will be at solving problems, thinking critically and applying science concepts and processes in new situations. These students who have had practice thinking like a scientist will have the capacity and the motivation to pursue degrees in — and eventually careers in — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.