Murder under the Microscope

Murder under the Microscope is an internet-based science program that our Years 5-6 children participate in each year. The program revolves around a fictitious (but possible) environmental crime in an Australian wetland. The children have to become detectives. By using the cryptic clues given over the internet and their powers of investigation and research, they attempt to solve the crime.

The children are always very highly motivated and often request additional time at recess and lunch to follow up their hunches. Many children access the site at home and their whole families become involved. In addition to learning about issues that can impact on our environment, the children learn a lot about the geography of Australia. They write information reports on many of our native plants and animals. They relate their clues to the probability line in Maths. They research and they develop a better understanding of the impact on our environment of seemingly insignificant things.