Eighth graders at Lakewood Middle School are documenting a crime scene, analyzing blood spatters and identifying finger prints as part of a unit incorporating scientific method and measure.

            Stephanie Louis, 8^th grade science teacher, received a $2,350 from the Blue Valley Educational Foundation for the Crime Scenes Investigation grant.

            "It is an interesting way to incorporate and apply the scientific method and it challenges the students to conduct lab tests, document results and try to meet the standard of proof needed to solve crimes," said Louis.

            The students used FACES software to make composites of the criminal. They had to draw a suspect from witness information

            "It was much harder to do when they only had ten seconds to look at a picture," noted Louis.

            Louis explained that the modules from the CSI unit could be incorporated at each grade level, getting more in-depth in eighth grade. "They have a DNA module that would fit in seventh grade very well," said Louis.  "It would be a great way to start the school year, to have everyone do measurement and scientific method review incorporated into a crime scene."            

            She already knows what next year's crime will be. "Our crime next fall involves kidnapping the school mascot," said Louis. Watch out Lakewood Cougar!

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