CSI is a Nesta funded project that focuses on Scientific Enquiry Skills. Students from the lower ability end of Year 9 will be challenged to think in an analytical and investigative way to solve three crimes presented to them through a crime scene.
The Students will look at:
collecting and gathering evidence - at the crime scene
making observations - in the lab
analysis of data - in the classroom
evaluating findings - build up profile
presenting finding - to a courtroom
Programme
The project will look at three crime scenes. One is due to take place in November, one in January and the third tbc. Two weeks of science lessons will be dedicated to each module. Year nine students received three teaching hours of science a week. Each module will therefore take six hours to work through.
Teaching Practises
Part of the premise for the Nesta Bid is the development and transference of innovative teaching practises through science and technology. In order to document the CSI project at Preston Manor School heavy consideration has been given to filming the project.
This would:
Document students responses to the project - engagement and disaffection
Document Teachers reaction to the project- what works what doesn't
Help develop presentation skills- student may do pieces to camera
Develop students multimedia skills in filming and recording projects
The filming part of this project will document the project as a whole. Although the focus of the project is the development of scientific enquiry skills, as each model develops so may the emphasis on the filming. As the modules are evaluated it might be found that some students prefer to get more involved in the filming part of the project and want to develop editing and shooting/directing skills. Similarly students may shy away from the filming element.
