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A string of vandalism incidents has shocked a quiet Bronx neighborhood. In the first reported incident the playing fields outside a local high school were vandalized: a fence was ripped apart, and garbage was strewn all around. Two days later two nearby homes were hit: the homeowners reported that they woke up to find their garbage cans were knocked over, bags shredded and garbage thrown all over the yard. One home had a first-floor window smashed. The next morning police received reports that the vandals had trashed a local playground. A few mornings later, after a rainy night, there were two more reports., one of these victims, a Mr. Jack Black, was the first eyewitness.

Mr. Black reported that around 8:30 he heard a loud noise outside his back door. He switched on an outside light and he saw a huge figure lumbering away. The vandal slammed into the side of his car and broke a window. A large footprint was left behind in the mud.

prelab A
Ecosystemolgy

Students learn about the interrelatedness of the living and non-living parts of an ecosystem. They investigate the impact of the introduction or removal of a species can have on the balance of an ecosystem.

No CSIT Equipment needed

prelab B
Introduction to GIS

Students learn how geographical coordinates, latitude and longitude, are used to specify location on the earth. They learn how Geographical Information Systems (GIS) allows scientists to visualize data correlated to geography, overlayed on maps. Students work, hands-on with transparency sheets printed with geo-referenced data and maps to solve a real-word problem.

No CSIT Equipment needed

prelab C
Anatomy and Biometrics

Students study biometrics. Students use butcher paper to measure the size of their own foot and stride. They will also measure their height and look for a mathematical relationship between their own three measurements and those of their classmates.

No CSIT Equipment needed

lesson 1
Introduction to the mystery, KWHL discussion

Students read emails accounts detailing some recent complaints of vandalism in an otherwise quiet Bronx neighborhood. Students make charts outlining what they Know (the Evidence) what they Want to know, How they will use the evidence to answer these questions, and leave space for filling in what they have Learned—they will fill this in at the end of the mystery.

Equipment provided in CSIT Portable Lab for each pair of students:

lesson 2
Footprint Investigation

Students investigate evidence that was collected and sent to them from the scene of the most recent incident. These include a picture of a footprint and a Google Earth (GIS) file containing the locations of all previous incidents. They make hypotheses and reply to Forensic Investigator with their own questions and requests for more information.

Equipment provided in CSIT Portable Lab for each pair of students:

lesson 3
Mapping the Clues with GIS

Students correspond via CSIT-mail software with a retired forensic scientist who supports their investigation by providing various GIS files when requested as well as database information and links to on-line interviews with local business owners about what steps they take to protect the local ecology.

Equipment provided in CSIT Portable Lab for each pair of students:

lesson 4
Testing Water for Known Pollutants

After concluding that the recent business developments in the area are inadvertently responsible for destruction of the lake ecosystem, Students test samples of lake water to figure out who is responsible.

Equipment provided in CSIT Portable Lab for each pair of students:

lesson 5
Preparing evidence for presentation to the jury

Students prepare their findings and evidence in a clear and concise manner to be presented to a jury for evaluation.

CSIT equipment provided in Portable Lab for each pair of students: