Indiana teachers to investigate crimes, improve science instruction
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Science teachers throughout Indiana will investigate "The Kiss of Death" and use forensics to develop standards-based integrated science lessons for their students.Thirty science teachers for grades four through nine will participate in a Purdue University summer science institute called Standards-based Integration Science Instruction. The hands-on workshop, which will take place July 10-21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is designed to improve teachers' classroom instruction and develop inquiry instruction strategies.
At the workshop, the teachers will use forensic knowledge and a variety of experiments to investigate a fictitious crime dubbed "The Kiss of Death." They will participate in a crime scene dig for initial evidence and use DNA analysis and forensic entomology explorations to test the evidence. After conducting the investigations, the teachers will create their own standards-based science units that incorporate inquiry instruction and lessons to take back to the classroom.
Gerald H. Krockover, a professor of earth and atmospheric science education and Standards-based Integration Science Instruction (SISI) director, said the workshop is an opportunity for teachers to experience hands-on science instruction from a student's point of view and develop lessons using that experience.
"Using an integrated approach to science, teachers can engage students in exciting explorations that emphasize many important science concepts," Krockover said. "The teachers look forward to having extra time to work with colleagues and specialists at Purdue to incorporate this integrated approach into their classrooms."
This is the fifth year of SISI facilitated by a partnership with the Purdue College of Science, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Science K-12 Outreach, College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and Indianapolis Public Schools. SISI is funded by an improving teacher quality grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
One hundred fifty teachers have participated in SISI since 2002.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Gerald Krockover (765) 494-5795, hawk1@purdue.edu
Bill Walker, College of Science K-12 Outreach director, (765) 494-5890, wswalker@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: The media are invited to shoot photos and video footage of the teachers collecting forensic evidence at the Purdue gravel pit at 1 p.m. Monday (July 10). For directions, contact Marydell Forbes, Purdue News Service, at (765) 496-7704.
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