Welcome to Scientific Inquiry through CSI Presented by: Tammy Davison and Debbi Ritchey

Overview: In this 90 minutes, we will walk you through how we use CSI to teach and assess our students on Scientific Inquiry and involve the Community, and our Parents in their student’s education. We will: 1.Explain the CSI unit 2.Participate in some of the activities 3.Explain CSI Parent – Student Night 4.Solve a mystery

Before Your Parent – Student Night! When to teaching the unit: *This can be done at any time of the year. (introduction or review of Scientific Inquiry) Time needed - - One Week (We have done it in less time, when we had this as an interdisciplinary unit) Grades included th thru 8 th Book we use - - “Forensic Science” by Prentice Hall (we also used some from the internet and other CSI resources) *Set up a curriculum for each grade, so as they move from one grade to another, they will not repeat any. *Make sure that each grade level involves the four core areas and the lessons are grade appropriate.

Activity Time I 1. Partner up. 2. Pick a “Training” Station. 3. Do the activity. 4. Listen for “time” to be called and head back to your seat.

Before Your Parent – Student Night! VERY IMPORTANT TO ADVERTISE, RECRUIT, and PROMOTE!!! Community Involvement: *Police *Doctors *University professors/students THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: PREPARE!!! the more you are prepared the less stressed you will be. Prepare your Volunteers, supplies, handouts, and Administration.

Activity Time II 1. Partner up. 2. Pick different “Training” Station. 3. Do the activity. 4. Listen for “time” to be called and head back to your seat.

During Your Parent – Student Night! Set-up: It is good to setup right after school, so to make sure that everything is done before parents and students show up. GET HELP and BREAK UP the responsibilities. (We had High School students that needed NHS and 9 th grade Honors Club points) Time for Help to show up: It is always good to have the teachers show up around 20 minutes before the actual start time. (That way you know who may not be able to show up. It is good to have a few extra volunteers. As each volunteer, shows up have them make sure that all supplies are in the room and they are clear on what to do when parents and students arrive.) Coordinator(s): Keep yourself free from any one room. This allows you to check on our support staff, give them breaks, if needed, and be able to interact with the parents.

During Your Parent – Student Night! Administration: These guys play an important role in the final mystery and they LIKE the “show” they have in front of the parents. *1 st year we had them as “Suspects”. *2 nd year we had the students asking the “Suspects” questions that would lead them to solving the mystery. (The Administration liked this) NOW, that everyone is here enjoy that night! Positions needed: *Check in person *Each and every station and mystery area covered *Floaters *Babysitter – This was the 9 th grade honors club (they charged $1 per child and did activities with the children)

Activity Time III 1. Partner up. 2. Pick different “Training” Station. 3. Do the activity. 4. Listen for “time” to be called and head back to your seat.

During Your Parent – Student Night! Activities: *Each student has the right to pick which “Training” activities they go to. (We had our do 5 of the 10 before they could do the big mystery) *There is no set order or schedule. *The Volunteers are only there to make sure everyone understands the activity and make sure they have enough supplies. *With about 20 minutes left we let the parents and students know that they need to finish up the “Training” and start the mystery.

After Your Parent – Student Night! Evaluate:*Teachers *Administration *Parents *Students Change and improve for next year: *Start planning for next year Promote next year:*Talk up this year with the students that attended and make the others wish they had attended.

Mystery Time! 1. Partner up, if you want. 2. Pick up the “mystery” envelope in front of you. 3. Solve the mystery. 4. Pick up the “solution” card as you leave.