The program, Murder under the Microscope (MuM), is an interactive environmental investigation game for school students. To play the game, participants must register at the MuM 2009 website.

Students are involved in action research activities with the aim to solve a hypothetical environmental mystery.

The metaphor of a ‘murder’ is used to symbolise the mysterious disappearance of an animal or plant from its natural environment. The students work in teams as investigators, using the website and their own research to identify the specific environment (crime site), the effects (victim) and the cause (villain). While the scenario of the game is fictitious, the environmental crime is based on science and could occur in the real world.

The Kentucky Primary School ‘Enviro-Sleuths’ team was one of the earliest to successfully post their ‘accusation’ listing all of the required data correctly.

The aims of MuM are to: · Build students’ understanding of environmental issues

· Foster awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment

· Promote appreciation of the need for sustainable practices in production, work and life activities.

The program is popular with thousands of classrooms Australia wide participating and culminates next month when all the student teams submit plans to protect the environment.