High school students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Upward Bound EC and BEM programs investigated clues from a fictitious crime case during a recent two-day enrichment camp. Forty students were selected to attend the camp sponsored and hosted by the Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Education and Outreach at SIUE.
The programs service students in the East St. Louis Charter and Cahokia high schools (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis and Madison high schools (BEM).
“The purpose of the workshop,” said Carmille Johnson, Upward Bound teacher, “was to expose the students to how science, math and technology work together.”
Students from the SIUE Upward Bound EC-BEM programs were selected for participation based on their grades and interest in science or math as a career goal, said Johnson.
The STEM Center created the camp, under the guidance of its director, Dr. Sharon Locke, associate professor. The primary instructors for the camp included Matt Johnson, teacher at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School, and Candace Johnson, who is currently involved with outreach at the St. Louis Zoo. Matt and Candace are both graduates of SIUE’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. Also serving as instructors were Dr. Kelly Barry, associate professor of biological sciences at SIUE; and Sean Herberts, program coordinator for the STEM Center.
On the first day, the students were introduced to the details of the “crime.”
The scene: “Alexis Dent’s” birthday party held in room 2010 of the SIUE Science Building.
The crime: Stolen was “Alexis’” birthday present, a Galaxy S7 telephone.
The suspects: Her father, Mr. Dent; her ex-boyfriend, Giovanni DeSoto; her brother, her best
friend and the janitor.
The evidence: Finger prints, foot prints, fake blood and a witness statement.
On the second day, the students were divided into four groups to survey the evidence. The teenagers also had a chance to interview all five of the “suspects,” each played by Matt Johnson.
Each group created a poster that displayed the rationale of their conclusion and presented their evidence to Herberts, Barry, Matt Johnson and Candace Johnson. The winning team consisted of the following students: Grace Harris, Re’On Wilson, Shontanae Johnson, BreAnn Roberson, Jermisha Davis, Darnisha Peterson, Dejanae Jackson and Curwin Jimerson, all of Upward Bound EC; and Brenisha Robinson and John Wicks, both of Upward Bound BEM.
“They never found the phone,” said Carmille Johnson. “It was a mystery in the end. However, the students were able to show how the forensic science part help lead them to a better investigation.
“The evidence did point to the brother. He had Galaxy S3 and was jealous.”
The Upward Bound programs are committed to the goals of developing a year-round education program which will excite, motivate and prepare target area, school district secondary students and provide quality services to all participants, thus preparing them for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs.
Photo Information: Chandlier Jack Jr., an Upward Bound EC student, looks at some evidence in the case of “The Missing Phone.” Chandlier is a junior at Cahokia High School.
Andrea Hyde, an Upward Bound EC student, presents forensic information during the STEM Center enrichment camp. Andrea is a freshman at East St. Louis Senior High School