Timeline

February to May—pre-game phase

During this period you can register, prepare and plan for Murder under the Microscope.

3 May—Gamesite live

Weeks 1–2

Site orientation and class preparation.

Class preparation includes:

• teacher finding out the level of students’ background knowledge
• students developing an understanding of environmental issues
• students researching issues described in the activity cards (available in the Resources section).

Weeks 3–5

Information becomes available on the website, including possible crime sites, villains and victims.

The students should:

• interrogate the website for clues
• brainstorm places to obtain further information on crime sites, victims and villains
• investigate issues in each crime site
• research the victims and their habitats
• report back to the whole class on findings.

Investigators are encouraged to use the website to receive some hints from experts.

Catchment HQ’s crime site investigator visits the crime site to report on the crime and the suspects in the case.

Using knowledge gained while working on the activity cards (in the Resources section), student investigators now begin the process of research and elimination to try to identify the correct victim, villain and crime site.

Research methods include using classroom resources; online searches; telephoning, writing to or emailing organisations that may have information on the victims and villains; and sharing the information with other members of the team.

Daily clues are posted on the website from Catchment HQ personnel.

Students can post questions to the website science experts and check answers to questions others have posted.

At the end of this period, student investigators have 24 hours to make their accusations.

Week 6 and after

Investigators can now prepare an Action plan and send it in to the Connected Learning Awards.

http://cliwww.det.nsw.edu.au/services/awards.htm
This is where the early hard work and research can really pay off.