Scattergood students analyze DNA as part of murder mystery challenge

Early one February morning, a Scattergood Friends School teacher told a geometry class that she had discovered the body of Louis Herbst in the wood studio.

This launched what would become a monthlong murder mystery project staged by Scattergood faculty, in which students were able to use the school's newly-attained DNA sequencing equipment. Scattergood purchased the equipment after receiving a $5,000 grant from the Toshiba America Foundation.

Faculty members said they hoped the murder mystery would make STEM subjects, such as math, more relevant to the students.

'We need to find as many ways as possible to help students understand that every algorithm they get is an opportunity to analyze the world,” said Louis Herbst, the fake murder victim and Scattergood's academic dean.

Geometry, biology, and geometry lessons were woven into the murder mystery, as students took measurements from the crime scene, analyzed data and put on a mock trial.

Students were evaluated based on reasoning abilities and how effective they were at communicating their findings.

'We are happy to have accomplished our goals,” said Michael Severino, Scattergood's advanced biology teacher. 'The students in my class all got the same result when completing the three replicates, meaning our lab results have validity, and the students learned a lot in the process.”

Scattergood staffers said they want to do another murder mystery next year, with a few possible adjustments.

The school also plans to incorporate a unit on DNA into an ecology program launching next year. Students will be able to use the DNA sequencing equipment to look for certain genes in plants and search for genetically modified organisms in crops from Scattergood's farm.

Students in Severino's class already have begun to use the DNA sequencing equipment to investigate the presence of GMOs in processed and non-processed food. He said they even were able to extract DNA from a Cheeto.

Scattergood currently provides an Agricultural Research class for senior students. The purpose of the new program will be to expand this agricultural focus to all grade levels and prepare underclassmen to eventually take the senior-level course.

It will begin with an immersive seven-week experience where incoming freshman and sophomores will spend their class time on Scattergood's organic farm.

'This initiative will form a critical foundation for our Ecology Program students as they continue on to further immersive-scientific research in Scattergood's curriculum of project-based learning,” Herbst said.