Kansas girls to tackle crime solving at K-State event

Media Relations and Marketing
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0117
Phone: 785-532-6415
Fax: 785-532-6418

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Source: Susan Arnold Christian, 785-532-6152, susanac@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu

Thursday, April 12, 2007

KANSAS GIRLS TO TACKLE CRIME SOLVING AT K-STATE EVENT

MANHATTAN -- Picture the following: Willie the Wildcat, Kansas State University's beloved mascot, is missing. There are suspicious brownish-red stains at his dwelling and a ransom note on the door. The retired jersey of K-State women's basketball star Nicole Ohlde has been stolen from Bramlage Coliseum, with only broken glass and footprints in a mysterious white powder left behind.

Crime-fighting sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls from across Kansas will be asked to solve these mysteries using science and technology as they take part in "CSI K-State," Saturday, April 21, on the K-State campus in Manhattan.

Participating in activities based on the popular "CSI" television series on CBS, the 88 students in attendance will analyze hair, blood, and DNA samples under microscopes; measure distance between footprints and calculate heights; and examine fibers mixed with broken glass.

The event is sponsored by K-State's Girls Researching Our World, or GROW, program. GROW is offered through the Women in Engineering and Science Program and engages middle-school girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities. The Women in Engineering and Science Program and the Collaborative for Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics provide financial support for GROW.

For additional information about the Girls Researching Our World program, contact Susan Arnold Christian, Women in Science and Engineering outreach program coordinator, at 785-532-6152 or visit online at http://www.k-state.edu/grow