Mediaboss Marketing

Students at Western Middle School learn about crime-solving techniques as part of preparation for the Science Olympiad.

ELON Western Alamance Middle School students examined crime scenes, built bridges, shot rockets and studied the human body all in the name of science Friday afternoon.

The budding scientists were preparing for the regional Science Olympiad a competitive tournament with hands-on science events scheduled for February.

Two students, eighth-graders Holland Whitaker and Mackenzie Leavitt, both worked with Alamance County Sheriffs Office Lt. Darlene Eastwood in the Crime Scene Investigation unit during a Crime Busters practice event to learn about investigating crimes through evidence collection. The pair, both interested in pursuing careers in the criminal justice field, said they were excited to learn about how to solve crimes but nervous about the process.

Its a little nerve-racking, Whitaker said. But its going to be fun.

The students practiced making a cast molding of a handprint, something Eastwood said law enforcement officers do to compare a shoeprint or handprint at a crime scene to that of a suspect or another piece of evidence.

This is the first year that Western has participated in Science Olympiad, coach Susan Dixon said.

Its a great competition that gives students a chance to learn and partner with other students, she said.

The 18 students will compete in 23 events during the regional competition, which will be held at UNC-Greensboro. If the school scores high enough, the students will continue to the state level.

Obviously we would hope to make it to state, but I just hope they perform well, Dixon said.

Here is the original post:
CSI: Western Middle School