Part 1

    Bob, a first year college student, could not concentrate on the article about the revisions to be made at the new Science Discovery Museum. He had his own problem to solve.  He had arrived at 5:00 pm to supervise the evening, after-hours shift at the Discovery Center.  While surveying each room to determine how much re-arranging his crew would need to do to prepare for the next day's visitors, he had noticed a pile of skulls lying on a table under empty shelves in the Animal Characteristics room. How did they get there?  He couldn't remember having seen them at any time before, but he knew they had to be back in place before 7:00 am when his boss, Ruth Canine arrived.  She had already given him an unsatisfactory on his evaluation and threatened to fire him if he didn't improve.

    Bob was worried.  He had little knowledge in biology or zoology.  How could he distinguish and label the skulls based on their characteristics? While drumming his fingers on the desk, he suddenly remembered that his young sister, Phoebe, had studied animal characteristics in her 5th grade class and had won a first place prize in the citywide science fair.  Maybe she could help.  It was worth a try.  He picked-up the phone, called his mother, who along with Phoebe agreed that Phoebe may be the solution. Phoebe arrived 30 minutes later and suggested that they start with the teeth.
 

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The Case and materials for "Screaming Skulls" have been developed and/or assembled by La Nelle Harvey, of 93rd Street School, Los Angeles, CA - a member of the USC California Science Project Leadership Cohort, in conjunction with Cal State Los Angeles.

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