Forensic science for science teachers

Some of today’s most popular TV shows focus on forensic science and its use in crime scene investigation. A new, on-line summer course offered by the UW-Madison Office of Education Outreach, takes advantage of the interest in forensic sciences to help teachers develop a curriculum that builds on problem-solving, using the tools and techniques of science. The June 12-23 course will help teachers provide real-world learning experience to science students in grades 7-10; use scientific evidence in a context that is meaningful and engaging; and integrate various scientific disciplines into a single approach.

Students will learn to reduce complex scientific techniques into easy-to-understand models, simulate a forensic science investigation within the science skill set, and design activities that can teach advanced concepts without advanced-level academic science mastery. The approach will help students apply key information and skills by asking appropriate questions for scientific inquiry.

The course relates to Wisconsin Teaching Standards 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. Course participants can earn one credit (optional) or two CEUs from UW-Madison. The $195 cost of this two-week course is offset by a $200 stipend for each participant. An application must be completed to receive the stipend.

Instructor Fong-Mei Lu is a PhD student in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at UW-Madison. Her research interests include developing undergraduate biology instructional materials using cutting-edge biology research resources, and understanding the effectiveness of the materials by studying student learning.

Andrea Anderson is a science teacher at LaFollette High School in Madison. She is also doing graduate work at UW-Madison in Curriculum & Instruction.

Jan Cheetham is a project manager in Academic Technology at DoIT Computing Services, UW-Madison. She managed the T4 Biology project, providing administrative leadership and disciplinary and pedagogical expertise, and has extensive instructional and administrative experience promoting undergraduate biology education as a staff member of the Zoology department and the Center for Biology Education.

For on-line registration or more information about this program, contact the Office of Education Outreach, Phone 608-263-5140, or e-mail Steven Lanphear.

Last updated on 5/30/2006