Friday, July 10, 2015

Tag is On the Case

The Museum’s Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) had a unique meeting in April. William Greene, Director of Technical Operations for Prince George’s County Police Crime Scene Investigation Division, presented an interactive forensics class for TAG members. Greene put the educators in the role of student investigators by preparing a mock crime scene that the teachers then had to solve. The experience sparked the group’s imagination and made for an exciting follow-up meeting in June.


TAG members listening to William Greene

In the Museum, Take the Case will invite visitors to explore different crime solving techniques including forensic analysis of ballistics, DNA, and trace evidence. TAG developed several field trip lesson plans for the Take the Case exhibit in the Museum based on their mock crime scene experience. The TAG members split into four groups and developed unique lesson plans that looked at different aspects of the exhibit. Two groups focused on field trips for different grade levels to learn about and explore the significance of the Miranda Rights. Students were directed to question what rights are, how they are implemented in America, and whether the Miranda Rights are still necessary. The other two groups had students think creatively about crime solving through narrative writing and the scientific process. 

TAG members discussing their lesson plan

TAG is composed of primary and secondary school educators who teach in public and private schools in Washington, DC; Maryland; and Virginia. The educators work collaboratively with staff to analyze future Museum’s exhibits and develop related field trip ideas and museum educational resources for use in the classroom. TAG is on break until next school year when they will continue to explore new ways for students to interact with the National Law Enforcement Museum’s objects and exhibits.