Who’s behind the Whodunit?
The Planet Science Whodunit is a joint effort of the whole team at Planet Science, with some help from partner organisations, scientists, teachers and kids - and associates from Down Under too!
To wrap up Planet Science, we knew we had to come up with a new idea that would get people excited about science and deliver another major dose of hands-on fun…
After all, the stakes were high - we'd invented the Giant Jump, which launched Science Year in 2001 and saw nearly a million people jumping up and down in the name of science. We also knew that big, interactive events were a hit with schools. And we'd supported loads of other big science activities like LaughLab, DreamLab and Water Down The Plughole too (you can check these events out in the Planet Science archive!).
The time was right for a forensic science extravaganza! And the search was on for previous events that could help inspire and inform our thinking...
As research began, we realised that forensic science is hot property - just look at how many books, tv shows, education activities and on-line resources there are about behind-the-scenes forensic scientists. We wanted to make the most of the best bits - and we recalled a successful event in Australia that could help us reach loads of people.
Who Stole the Minister’s Malibu was the brainchild of Ruben Meerman (an Australian with attitude!) You can check out some of the evaluation data about his programme in the Teacher's section of the site. The Planet Science Whodunit is based on that event, with additional elements designed and developed by the Planet Science team. Ruben holds the copyright to the evidence kits and teachers handbook.
There are many different people and organisations who've helped make the Planet Science Whodunit what it is. We've referenced them throughout the site - but just for good measure here they are again. In particular, big big thanks are due to the following individuals and organisations:
Our celebrity suspects - James Beattie, Blazin' Squad, Busted, Ms Dynamite, S Club, Zach Shaw - and their agents.
Our supporters - particularly the Department for Education and Skills and all companies providing prizes for the competitions, who include At-Bristol, BioRad, Dorling Kindersley, Gibsons Games, Infinite Ventures, Intel and Philip Harris - check out their awesome donations on our Prizes page!
Our content partners - particularly staff at the Association for Science Education, the British Association, the Forensic Science Service, NESTA, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, South Bank University, Anglia Polytechnic University, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum - for all their enthusiasm, quiz input and advice.
Our service providers, particularly -
Science Line, who staffed the Whodunit Helpdesk service and can still answer any of your science questions...Edulab, who manufactured the kits...Mailtech, who sent them out...and The Other Media, who designed these pages and made our databases work.
The fabulous team here at Planet Science (you can check us all out on the Team Pages!) with particular thanks to all those who've aided and abetted us:
Ruben Meerman, for his orginal Whodunit concepts.
Alice Bell, Sian Aggett and Jon Milton, for their hard work and attention to detail.
Andrew, Bo and Paula at the DFES for their help and advice.
Rebecca Edwards at the QCA for her invaluable input.
Adrian Fenton and colleagues at the ASE for their brilliant support
The teachers, parents and kids who helped out on content development. Thanks for ALL your help!
For further Whodunit enquiries please email joanna.edwards@nesta.org.uk