HU Places First in National FBI Case Competition

Hampton, VA -Hampton University’s Department of Education has earned first place in the first FBI National Curriculum Development Challenge Competition held on Dec. 8 in Washington, D.C.

Collegiate teams from across the nation were invited to participate in the competition by analyzing a case study and designing six to eight lesson plans addressing the importance of a FBI career in one of three focus areas: intelligence, languages, or information technology. The top three finalist teams were invited to present their case studies before a five-person panel of FBI personnel at the J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8.

Claflin University placed second in the competition and Miles University came in third place.

HU’s team consisted of Dr. Gertrude Henry, chair of the Department of Education; Angela Pierce, a senior mathematics major; Guerschmide Saint-Ange, a senior English education major; and Juanita Devlin, also a senior English education major.

HU’s winning lesson plan, titled “Where in the World is Our Agent?,” incorporated the focus area of intelligence as middle school students are to assume the role of an intelligence analyst in order to identify an undercover agent who is in danger somewhere in the world. Students use investigative work to trace the agent and assess the potential threats and implications of the geographic locations and ultimately determine if and how the agent should be rescued.  The participating students conclude by writing a report of their findings and prepare a mock presentation to national security, homeland security and law enforcement officials.  Meanwhile the lesson teaches geography and the differences in culture, language, and currency between various countries.

According to the FBI National Curriculum Development Challenge, its goal is to “tap into the creativity of America’s future diverse educators to assist in developing age and stage appropriate lesson plans.” Ultimately, the competition’s lesson plans are designed to get middle school students interested in learning more about and perhaps consider a career in the FBI.

The department plans to use the $3,000 prize towards book scholarships for education majors next semester.