On Monday, February 10, 2025, Delran multi-lingual families were invited to join us for the third STEM event this school year, Sherlock Bones, as part of our Delran Who Done It? event series. Two events were hosted by STEM co-advisor and Science Supervisor Mrs. DeMichele this evening: the first, beginning at 5:45, offered translation in Turkish, Arabic, and Urdu. The second, beginning at 7:00, offered translation in Portuguese and Spanish. Translations were provided by Mrs. Saka and Mrs. Tullio for event instructions, as well as by additional student and staff translators for modifying written activities and assisting at the activity tables.
Participants listened to part of the story “Inside Your Outside: All About the Human Body” by Tish Rabe. This story provided an introduction to the human body and the skeletal system. In a discussion following the reading, fascinating facts were presented about the skeletal system, such as osteocytes’ role (cells that break down and rebuild bones). We discussed the fusing of bones, such as with the cranium and clavicle, at different stages of development.
After learning key vocabulary through reading and discussion, participants were provided an overview of the six STEM stations this evening. The evening was a competition, with prizes for students who completed all of the stations and a grand prize for the first participant to finish every activity accurately.
Station 1: Name That Bone
At this station, students compared and contrasted the qualities of different bones from skeletal models and actual skeletons. Participants matched the correct bones to the correct names in this activity, with assistance from Mrs. Rizzo and STEMbassadors Harper W. and Riley S. Students were able to see a skeletal model provided by DHS Anatomy and Biology teacher Mrs. Kim Brewster.
Station 2: Thumb Tango
At this table, students learned the importance of thumb joints by completing challenges while their thumbs were taped to their ring fingers. Thoughtful discussion followed, analyzing and reflecting on how difficult their experience was with limited use of their thumb. STEMbassador Vidhi P. assisted Mrs. Deloche and the families at this table.
Station 3: Critter Bone Detective
Students examined owl pellets and examined the rodent skeletal bone remains found to determine what the owl ate, comparing and contrasting their findings to the qualities of human bones. Mrs. Mystrena and STEMbassadors Alex A. and Desmond S. assisted families at this station.
Station 4: Assembly of Mr. Bones
The University of California released a template for “Mr. Bones” to create an articulating 2-dimensional model of a skeleton. Fab Lab Managers Mr. Maraldo and Mr. Deloche as well as STEMbassadors Colbie A. and Shirav G. assisted students in assembling their own “Mr. Bones” figure.
Station 5: Missing Persons
At this table, students explored concepts of forensic science and mathematics by calculating the length of a missing person’s bones to determine their identity. Supervisors Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Lowe oversaw this table with assistance from STEMbassador Zachary A.
Station 6: Bone-O-Vision
Examining x-rays, students determined what was wrong with bones, such as fractures. After locating the fractures, students would name the bones that were broken. Mrs. Tenet and STEMbassador Vishwa P. assisted families with this activity.
Several district staff were observed in attendance and interacting with families, including DHS Principal Mr. Stolarick and English and World Languages Supervisor Mrs. Baker.
The grand prize winner, who completed the activities the fastest accurately, won a themed board game. Additional prizes for the competition were awarded to every student, ranging from books on the skeletal system to bone cell (osteocyte) stuffies. Prizes were purchased by the school district. After the activities and competition, participants discussed what they learned and which forensics careers may interest them in the future.
Thank you to the Delran Education Association (DEA) for refreshments (provided through a FAST grant), and thank you to all of this evening’s translators, teachers, and participants for another “marrow-velous” evening of learning!
We are excited for upcoming events, such as our summer STEAM Camp, the annual STEM Fair, and many other exciting events this spring, such as our next family night on March 10. Additional events and registration information can be found on our Events page, or follow us on social media on X and Instagram.
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