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Technology: Facts

Since 1982, Murfreesboro City Schools has been recognized as a leading school system in Tennessee for implementing technology in its instructional program. Each licensed employee is equipped with the most up-to-date technical equipment, including student computers, projection devices, network connectivity, system-wide email, wireless response units and Internet resources.

Hands-On Science and Math—TV’s CSI-Style

Middle Tennessee State University offers a three-day immersive experience to engage high school students in forensic science. CSI:MTSU is for rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders and is cosponsored by the Forensic Institute for Research and Education (FIRE) and MTSU’s College of Continuing Education and Distance Learning.

The goals of CSI: MTSU are:

• To allow students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades to explore many unique career possibilities in forensic science;
• To provide a “real life” reason to tackle higher level math and science courses; and
• To develop skills in team work, seeing and understanding details, critical thinking, and presentations.

Student investigators are presented with a recreation of an actual crime scene, divided into teams and assigned to a member of the Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery Team (a professional directs and coaches the students as they use math and science to solve the crime).

Participants are trained in the fundamental processes of collecting evidence including DNA, fingerprints, hair and fibers, simulated blood spatter, and shoe prints. Additionally, students learn how to process evidence, conduct interviews, and formulate theories while working within a team environment.

On the camp’s last day, each team present its theories of the crime and conclusions reached, which will be critiqued by a panel of forensic scientists.