Eighth-graders at St. Charles Borromeo Academy got a taste of a CSI-style mock crime scene recently at their Point Loma campus. The students used different aspects of science to solve a whodunit involving the principal’s missing baseball hat. “It’s really a hot topic these days with [the television show] ‘CSI,’” said Peter Billings, who runs the St. Charles science program. “It’s not really part of the curriculum of middle school science but it’s a component to add to incorporate other science skills.” The class of nearly 20 eighth-grade students integrated forensics, entomology, microscope use and comparisons, and good detective skills during the weeklong exercise. When the exercise kicked off Dec. 14, the pupils were parading around with detective badges, gloves and booties, collecting evidence from the school office. “The main goal is to introduce science and make science fun and hands-on, dealing with forensics and [things they see on] TV every day,” Billings said. St. Charles’ faculty also got in on the act. Principal Thomas Mamara’s office was the main scene of the crime. More than 30 pieces of evidence ranging from hair to fingerprints were scattered about his office. Other faculty members provided clothing samples that the students matched with control samples to get to the bottom of the mystery. “It’s a really good hands-on science project that involves the whole school and uses lots of different science branches,” Billings said. After collecting evidence on the first day, the science class spent the rest of the week analyzing it. Students had to distinguish between animal and human hair under a microscope, measure pH levels in soil and analyze fiber samples. “We’ll see how it goes and then add to it to increase the complexity,” Billings said. Billings took over the science program at St. Charles two years ago. Since arriving at the school, he is credited with making a significant impact on its science curriculum. “They really didn’t have a science program here before,” Billings said. “My job is to build it up and make it something to stand out in the community.” St. Charles Borromeo Academy is located at 2808 Cadiz St. in Point Loma. For more information, visit science.saintcharlesacademy.com.
