PHASE IJUNE 16-19, 2008

Shewey Science Academy

Acknowledgements

The Shewey Science Academy was made possible by the generous gift of Mr. C. Fred Shewey whose vision will shape science education in southern West Virginia

The June Harless Center in the College of Education and Human Services at Marshall University – Dr. Stan Maynard, Director

The Marshall University Foundation – Mr. Lance West, Vice President

Goals

Increase the science knowledge and skills of students

Improve student attitudes toward science

Increase student confidenceInvolve students in a 21st Century

learning environmentEncourage students to enter a science

career

Summer Academy

40 students in grades 5 through 8 participated in a series of investigations centering around a possible murder

A variety of forensic techniques were employed by students to investigate the events surrounding the suspicious deaths

Student tasks

Students developed hypothesesdesigned investigationsrecorded dataresearched needed informationprepared oral and written summaries

of findings

DNA FingerprintingStudents used DNA

techniques similar to modern DNA labs

Students did all the work with the instructors facilitating their research

Bite MarksStudents verified the

alibi of a suspect by matching bite mark evidence with data they collected

Qualitative and quantitative data were collected and compared in their investigation

Hair & Fiber AnalysisA blanket was found

in the pickup belonging to one of the suspects

Hairs were found in the cabin where the bodies were found

Students learned characteristics of hairs and fibers and evaluated the evidence

Forensic EntomologyInsect larvae found

on the bodies were examined

Students researched growth rates of the insect species, weather data and other evidence to estimate time of death

Soil AnalysisMud found on the

boots of one of the suspects was tested and compared to soil samples from the crime scene and a local construction site

Handwriting Analysis

Checks from the murder victim and a primary suspect were evaluated for inconsistencies in handwriting

Students used measurable tools to determine potentially forged documents

Ink AnalysisReceipts from the

murder victim’s company were evaluated to determine if they had been altered.

Properties of ink were measured against known samples

Blood SpatterIn order to

reconstruct the events at the crime scene, students measured the influence of distance and angle on blood drops

“Blood” was dropped from varying heights and angles to determine a pattern

Using algorithms from their investigations, the students examined the blood spatters on the walls and floors of the reconstructed crime scene

Mock Trial

The final day of the Shewey Science Academy was the culminating event of the week – the mock trial

One team of students prepared a case against their suspect using students as expert witnesses in each of the investigations conducted during the week

Defense

The other team gathered exculpatory evidence to clear the suspect being charged

Like the prosecution team, the defense team had expert witnesses for each investigation

Jurors

Parents, teachers and community members were invited to the Shewey Science Academy for the closing ceremony and to serve as jurors

The Superintendent of Mingo County Schools, Mr. Dwight Dials, agreed to act as the judge for the trial

21st Century Skills

Information and Communication Skills

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Interpersonal and Self Directional Skills

STUDENTS WERE ASSESSED BEFORE AND AFTER THE SHEWEY

SCIENCE ACADEMY

Pre and post test data

Student Attitudes Survey

Science is something that I enjoy very much.

Student Attitudes Survey

Doing science labs or hands-on activities is fun.

Student Attitudes Survey

Science is helpful in understanding today’s world.

Student Attitudes Survey

I have a good feeling toward science.

Student Attitudes Survey

I have a real desire to learn science.

Pre and Post Test Data

The students’ basic science content knowledge was assessed on the first and last days of the Academy

The knowledge of the students gained on every science content question

Some questions showed gains from 16% to 97% correct

Pre and Post Test Data

Which of these is the molecule for heredity in living things?

a) Proteinb) DNAc) RNAd) ATP

Pre and Post Test Data

What do we call the process of separating molecules with electricity?

a) Electrophoresis

b) Electrolysisc) Electrocutiond) Elocution

Pre and Post Test Data

What electrical charge is DNA?

a) Positiveb) Negativec) Neutrald) None

Pre and Post Test Data

In separating molecules, what sizes of molecules travel further in an electric field?

a) Largeb) Smallc) Moderated) Medium

Pre and Post Test Data

The more oval shaped a blood drop is

a) the more time since death

b) the greater the angle of fall

c) the older the victim

d) the more serious the wound

Science Content Scores

Average Scores

Students Impacted

School Number of Participants

Burch High School 2

Gilbert Elementary 1

Kermit K-8 18

Lenore K-8 15

Matewan Middle 1

Williamson Middle 3

Total 40

Expenses for Summer 2008

Expense CostTrainer fees $7,000.00Trainer travel $1,159.32Teacher stipends $500.00Teacher travel $89.35Supplies $5,915.34Total $14,664.01

Follow-up

Plans are to bring these 40 students to the Marshall University campus in October 2009 to tour the science facilities and meet with science faculty

Increased collaboration with the AMSP and other grants in Mingo County will allow more cost effective delivery of science programs

2009 Shewey Science Academy

Academy will expand to three locations: Lenore/Kermit Burch/Williamson Gilbert

Student opportunities will increase from 40 to 150 county wide

Mingo County science teachers will have a more active role