In an non-air-conditioned classroom in North Cambridge, 20 elementary school students sit in groups, trying to figure out who kidnaped Janet Jackson.

Their teacher, Edward A. Villavencio '96-`97, has been working on a lot mysteries with kids from all over the Boston area. So far, they've cracked some big cases: the ingredients of slime and how to make sound, for starters. Today, TLC (thin layer chromatography) is the subject of choice.

It's all part of the Summer Science Program, sponsored by the Phillip Brooks House Association (PBHA). Seven undergraduates who participate in the term-time ExperiMentor Program are taking part of their summer to teach children participating in the PBHA summer camps about science.

Villavicencio's Class

Villavicencio shows the ransom note he's received to the class. Six suspects with pens, all college-aged teachers, are rounded up in the room. Villavicencio asks for advice on how to figure out who did the deed.

At once, the children pummel him some suggestions:

"Fingerprints!"

"Handwriting!"

"What color pen?"

At this, the suspects hold up their pens. Unfortunately, every pen has black ink. Fingerprinting isn't possible and everyone agrees that people can disguise their writing.

So what now?

This time, the kids are silent.

Then, Villavicencio starts asking about colors. What color do yellow and blue make when you mix them together?

"Green."

"Red and blue?"