Odyssey Academy finds the fun in science through innovative programs for middle and high school students. This past month, we talked to Odyssey Academy director Erin McAfee about Forensics CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Techniques.
CAMP ODYSSEY: What will campers have in store for them if they sign up for the CSI Camp?
ERIN MCAFEE: On the first day of camp the students are presented with a very realistic staged crime scene. In this staged scenario, a person will be found dead, possibly murdered, on the school grounds and it will be up to the students to find out ‘who done it.” As a group we begin looking at the different types of evidence involved in the crime and by the end of the week, they use their findings to identify the killer.
The students will learn all the basics of crime scene investigation and have the opportunity to work hands on with simulated evidence. Some of the types of analysis the kids participate in is blood typing, chromatography (ink separation and identification), mystery powdered substances, handwriting analysis, urinalysis for drug testing, footprint and tire track casting, fingerprint analysis and interviewing suspects.
CO: What do you want campers to take away from this experience?
EM: The class is a great way to learn important biological and chemical concepts in a fun and intriguing way. With all of the television shows about crime scene investigation, the students have a genuine interest in the subject matter and find out how real investigations compare with those on television.
The students gain a true appreciation for the time and detail involved in real criminal investigations and learn key science information at the same time. Students can take what they have learned in the class, share their knowledge with others and apply the scientific principles in future science classes.
Forensics CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Techniques will be offered on July 21-25 (12:30PM-3PM). Register for this camp, along with the many other Odyssey Academy Camps, today at http://www.campodyssey.org/.
