#tmmspecialprograms

[themindmuseumblog]

“What did you do this summer?” A student’s default answer would be in the lines of as far away as possible from school --- so the answer would most likely be “Oh, in <insert place here>” or “Oh, at home <insert unproductive activity here>”.

Except if you were a Junior Mind Mover (JMM) who spent an ENTIRE MONTH in a SCIENCE MUSEUM.

If you were a cool kid who couldn't get enough of science, the Junior Mind Mover Program would be on your to-do list for the summer. On its second year, the Junior Mind Mover Program hosted kids ages 10-17 who experienced what it was like to be a Mind Mover of the Mind Museum. As junior scientists, the Junior Mind Movers (JMMs) performed experiments and explored the science behind the exhibits of the Atom, Universe, Life, Earth and Technology Galleries. 

With the lab as one of the scientist’s playgrounds, the JMMs were told stories about the strange and mesmerizing world of science by the different resident scientists of the Mind Museum --- stories told through scribbles of numbers, the busy yet very important lives of microbes, and the vibrant colors and explosions of chemical reactions. The JMMs also learned to tell their own stories through a theater workshop by the Mind Movers as well as free-flowing song and dance by arts and movements’ groups, My Masterpiece and Storyhouse.  

It’s never too early to start science --- so our 32 JMMs have shown proudly at the end of our program. Even a 10 year old can teach what we can learn from science --- and that is to never lose your childish sense of wonder toward the world.

[themindmuseumblog]

From April 5-7, the museum held "CSI 101", a summer program geared towards kids 14-17 years old.

For each day of the workshop, the participants were taught how to gather evidence at a crime scene, how to do basic forensic science methodologies, and were also given the opportunity to apply what they learned by solving actual cases as a group.

The first day had them try to solve a missing person case - they were taught forensic anthropology, fingerprint analysis, hair analysis and DNA profiling, and investigated the crime scene with different members of the group having different responsibilities - as the sketch artists, forensic photographers, evidence collectors, and data recorders.

After they processed the evidence in the laboratory, they then had to form their case and present it to a "Panel of Investigators" comprised of the Mindmovers - they had to present the evidence, their version of the events, and defend their case against the Investigators' questions. The group with the best case and best reasoning given the evidence were awarded promotions in the form of badges.

On the second day, the Junior CSI's had to solve a serial homicide case, and they were also taught blood spatter analysis, DNA extraction, the procedure of a forensic autopsy, and forensic entomology. On the last day, the Junior CSI's had to solve a case that seemed suspiciously like murder, but actually turned out to be a case of natural death. They were also taught forensic drug testing and blood typing.

All of the groups were able to win a case, and thus were awarded promotions - some Junior CSI's were also awarded special promotions for outstanding work (Best Photographer, Best Sketch Artist, etc.). Because this is just the first installment, there will be more in store for the next batch of Junior CSI's, with new cases and new modules!