CSI: Classroom Student Investigations, A Professional Development Opportunity

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Bob

DATE CHANGE: Due to the inclement winter weather, we have decided to push back CSI for one week. The new dates are: Teachers: June 16 – 27

Applications still due by April 18 for priority consideration, however, as of now we have plenty of spots available. Applications will be considered as space is available.

CSI: Classroom Student Investigations is an excellent PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT opportunity for science teachers.  Forensic cases will be developed in which teachers and students will engage in inquiry-based activities to solve the cases. A wide variety of science fields (life, chemical, physical, and technology) will be included in this program. All cases will incorporate “real-world” activities and teachers will be given information how to adapt to their own classrooms. The workshop will be held June 16-27, 2014 (preference will be given to grades 7-10, but others will be considered as space allows), and a limited amount of travel support may be available. Teachers will receive room/board and up to $2000 stipend for successful completion of summer and academic year activities. 

Thirty science teachers will be selected to participate in the two week CSI: Classroom Student Investigations Institute, which takes place June 16-27, 2014 (dates have changed from June 9-20, due to inclement weather), at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. One hundred and twenty students, ranging from students who have completed 6th grade to students in 10th grade,will be selected to participate in a two day workshop, which takes place on June 25-26,2014 (dates have changed from June 18-19, due to inclement weather), taught by the teacher participants. Meals and dorm rooms will be provided for teachers as well as stipends for teachers and students. Limited travel scholarships are available for teachers who participate. See application for further details.

This program is designed to provide educators a professional development opportunity to acquire knowledge in integrating science and technology concepts, lab skills, and their application. Using forensic science as the theme, teachers will acquire pedagogical strategies to promote student investigation and inquiry based on the new science frameworks. Teachers will be able to use these standards-based activities in their own classrooms.

Teachers and students will team up to investigate a rash of mysterious events. Can they assemble the evidence to solve the case? In addition to basic forensic techniques, investigations will include:
  1. forensic entomology,
  2. the use of robotics in forensics
  3. DNA, microbial analysis, and
  4. analysis of trace evidence.

For more information and an application form, see our website http://altweb.astate.edu/csiscience

This project is funded by a grant given to Arkansas State University by the National Science Foundation (NSF 09-506 Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers-ITEST)

Karen L. Yanowitz, Ph.D., Project Director
Renee Carroll, M.A., Program Manager
Arkansas State University
PO Box 2785
State University, AR 72467
Csi_science2@yahoo.com
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