Middle school sleuths join forces with police investigator to solve 'Cookie Jar Mystery'

May 31, 2011 - PRLog -- SCHENECTADY, NY--You wouldn't want to be the fictional perp who raided the cookie jar at Schenectady's Central Park International Magnet School a few months ago.

After all, some 15 budding Crime Scene Investigators -- Central Park forth through eighth graders -- have been hot on his or her trail ever since, sifting through a mountain of evidence that ranges from hair sample analysis to blood typing, shoe prints, ink chromatography, fingerprints, pollen analysis, and DNA, among other forensic clues.

Recently, the cookie nabber's chances of making off cleanly with the dough dwindled even further, when the diligent young detectives joined forces with an officer of the Schenectady Police Department in their ongoing efforts to crack the case.

The student sleuths are taking part in an innovative after-school program that combines CSI-like mysteries and hands-on science learning. The program, developed by the Scotia-based Community Learning, LLC, is being conducted by the Schenectady Boys and Girls Club in all three of the city's middle schools simultaneously.

At the June 2 session, which begins at 4 p.m. at the school, the students will have the opportunity to explore the real-world forensic practices of the Schenectady Police, in the context of the scientific principles and practices they have learned along the way.

While "The Cookie Jar Mystery" curriculum is grounded in the fun and glamour of forensic science made popular by television programs such as the CSI series, it also has a serious purpose, said Mike DeBritz, founder and president of Community Learning. The firm's "Course Kits" are used in after-school programs nationwide to engage students in exciting experiences grounded in standards-based learning.

"From the White House to schoolrooms across the country, the emphasis is really on STEM education -- science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, ".DeBritz explained.  "'The Cookie Jar Mystery' takes advantage of the popular appeal of forensics and engages students in an application of authentic forensic procedures to solve this G-rated school-based caper.," he added.