by Allison Pardi
What really happened to I’m A Goner? The Biology I students can tell you exactly what happened to her. Each student in the class learned what it is like to be a crime investigator as well as how to look at objects under a microscope. There were six pieces of evidence. For example, hair, which was light brown, fabric, which was multiple colors, and blood. Also, there was a writing sample, fingerprint sample, and an unknown substance, which turned out to be snake skin.
There were four suspects: Mr. Tripp, Mr. Goodwin, Ms. Hill, and Mrs. Stallings. As you probably already know Ms. Hill is the head coach for varsity volleyball. She is also the librarian for Paris High School; Mrs. Stallings is the junior varsity coach for volleyball, who also teaches science exploration. Mr. Goodwin is the athletic director for the sports at Paris High School. Last but not least, Mr. Tripp is the band director for Paris High School band students.
After spending class time researching the data, the Biology I students concluded what evidence matched which suspect. All evidence and the crime were located in Room 25 at Paris High School. The hair was located on the table and on a mouth piece to a saxophone. The hair evidence belonged to either Mr. Tripp or Ms. Hill. This was conclusive because the hair evidence couldn’t have matched Mrs. Stallings because her hair is black or Mr. Goodwin because he has buzz cut. The unknown substance was snakeskin and belonged to Mrs. Stallings’s snake. Also, the writing sample matched Mrs. Stallings’s handwriting. The blood evidence couldn’t be matched with a person because more tests needed to be ran. The fingerprint had an ulnar loop, same as Ms. Hill's fingerprints.
After all lab reports were turned in, the students in Biology I learned that Mr. Tripp would not let the pep band play at the volleyball game. Out of anger, Mrs. Stallings’s threw a volleyball, aiming at Mr. Tripp, and accidently hit I’m A Goner. I’m a Goner was feeding Mrs. Stallings snake. I'm a Goner death's was a result of the volleyball that Mrs. Stalling's had thrown. Knowing she would get blamed for it, Mrs. Stallings tried to cover up the scene by planting evidence to incriminate the other suspects.
When asked what was liked best about the lab report and what was learnt, freshman Andrea LeLoup answered, “I liked looking at the evidence, and it taught me that all cells are different.” When asked the same question freshman Mikela Washburn replied, “I liked the sketching part and using microscopes. I learned about cells and how to make a wet mount slide.”
This was the 10th year that the crime lab assignment has been completed by Biology I students. It is an excellent, hands-on learning experience and is sure to continue on for many more years!
