A series of Transition Year science modules begins with a look at the sometimes grisly business of forensic science, reports Louise Holden.

Why are so few students taking science as a subject these days? Well, it's pretty obvious to anyone sitting in a school science lab burning potassium. The subject is disconnected from real life. OK, we know it's the very essence of life, but who can relate the periodic table to anything useful? A new programme for Transition Year aims to reveal the sexy side of science and to show students how physics and chemistry can lead to interesting and even glamorous careers.

Between now and May, schools will be able to access new programmes in forensic science, chemical engineering, sports science, cosmetic science and environmental science. The modules, developed by the Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturers Federation (IPCMF), cover a wide range of topics and recommend practicals and materials suitable for the classroom.

The 'Murder in Delahassy House' module is currently used in 30 schools nationwide and gives students the chance to do some of the work of a forensic scientist. Most students are somewhat familiar with this job from watching the TV series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - in fact, most police dramas and murder mysteries feature a lab scene or two.

The class is broken up into groups to try and solve the mystery of the murder - which has been disguised as a suicide - of a surly businessman at Delahassy House. Students start by examining evidence collected by the forensic team at the scene, and statements collected by gardaí. Five suspects are identified and students must use the available scientific resources to identify the murderer. No one type of evidence solves the case; students gradually rule out the suspects until the guilty party is found.

Using the physical evidence found at the scene, students use forensic tests to establish what happened. These tests include chemical analysis, chromatography, refractive index of glass, infrared spectrometry and DNA profiling. Students will be given the following pieces of evidence, which they will subject to scientific examination:

- glass broken beside the body and glass particles from the shoes of suspects (refractive index);

- threads collected from the chair opposite the table where the victim was working when shot, and samples of threads from garments belonging to suspects (infrared spectrometry);

- a sample of ink from a suicide note found at the scene, and from pens belonging to the suspects (chromatography);

- a sample of dirt from the floor of the studio, and from the shoes of suspects (chemical analysis);

- blood samples from the victim, and from the clothes of suspects (DNA profiling).

Students are also asked to review interview notes with the various suspects to try to establish a motive that corroborates their scientific findings. Who was responsible for the killing? The housekeeper with the blood-spots on her clothes? The argumentative son? The jolly handyman who was owed money, or the victim's distant daughter?

For each test students are provided with a worksheet that explains how to carry out the experiments, what results to look out for and what different results mean. Each worksheet is filled out, and when all are completed, students have a thorough scientific profile of the murder that they can combine with other evidence to identify the killer.

The entire module, complete with teacher's resources, is being sent out to 30 participating schools this month, but all the material is available on www.ipcmf.ie for other schools to download. Every month a new module will be introduced. If the pilot project is a success, it will be rolled out to every interested school in the country.

Other, shorter science modules will also be made available on the website for schools that would like to introduce single or double class workshops on interesting facets of science. The first of these will examine the possibility of humans living in a colony on Mars. This particular module draws in a number of different subjects apart from science. As well as describing the main features of the planet Mars, such as surface conditions, atmosphere, and number of moons, students are asked to explain the historical significance of the Mars probe landing and to debate the possibility of life existing on the red planet.

Interested teachers and students should visit www.ipcmf.ie. The website also profiles the pharmachem industry in Ireland, highlighting its importance to the Irish economy. For those considering a career in science, the site contains facts and figures on the industry, such as rates of employment, exports, and so on. There is also information about opportunities within the sector, and profiles of graduates working in different areas of the industry.

'Murder at Delahassy House' might not bring students back to science in their thousands but it could light a fire under some who, until now, have not looked at science in the context of a meaningful career. If nothing else, the programme might teach a few students how to commit the perfect crime.

Cork Institute of Technology has created 'Exploring Electronics', a Transition Year module on electronic engineering. E-mail: psliny@cit.ie

For further details of The Physics Roadshow (see below), and lots more science besides, visit www.truephysics.com or e-mail declan@physics.ie

For a closer look at the pharmaceutical industry, visit www.ipha.ie

The Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturers Federation provides lesson modules and a career directory at www.ipcmf.ie