As part of studying True Historical Crime this past term, the students of Year 10 Extreme History have participated in investigating a historical criminal mystery of their choice for their research assessment task. Their assessment tasks required students to create a museum display diorama that related to an unsolved true historical crime of their choice. These museum displays range from different unsolved historical homicides, disappearances and robberies. The students have completed these dioramas to an excellent standard, with many creative and engaging displays being exhibited all around the IRC. Congratulations and well done to the Year 10 Extreme History students for all their incredible work and efforts in this task!
Student Reflections:
I really enjoyed the task of creating my own crime board as it was creative and fun. I found it really enjoyable to collect my photos and evidence and pin them to the board, and then after connecting the pins with string to give it that 'true crime board' feel and look. My chosen mystery crime was the death of Princess Diana. It was very interesting to delve into the deep areas of each suspect and other important factors that played into the case. The case was also just very interesting because it had to do with the Royal Family and was a big shock to the world when it occurred in 1997.
- Eleni A
For our assessment, I developed a museum exhibit and accompanying essay on the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. The part I found most rewarding was constructing a scale model of the crime scene. With prior experience in model-making and painting, I was able to bring a level of detail and craftsmanship that made the creative process especially enjoyable.
- Aleksej D
The Extreme History Assessment was to study an unsolved case and to create a physical display that would be visually appealing for audiences. The unsolved case that I had chosen was the JonBenét Ramsey case, which was the murder of a six-year-old pageant girl, JonBenét, that occurred in Boulder, Colorado, 1996. One thing I enjoyed about my assessment was in the making of my crime board. It might sound a little strange, but I was enthusiastic about the case and wanted it reflected in my work, which is why I wanted to make it as detailed as
I could. A challenge I faced was in harbouring the patience to deal with paint and make a diorama depicting the wine cellar where she was found.
- Hannah H
My case I studied was the Zodiac Killer. What I most enjoyed about the Assessment Task was the diorama. It was a thought process that was enjoyable, you had to combine creativity with information, the balance between the two was a challenging, but fun section of the Assessment Task. What I least enjoyed about the Assessment Task was the Investigation Report, it took a lot of time, and you didn’t know what was structured right or what was structured wrong. One thing I think the HSIE department should change about this assessment task, to make it more enjoyable, is to add a brief structure, to help guide future students to perfect or even a better perfection.
- Isaiah J
Miss Nathalia Monteiro
Secondary Teacher - HSIE