This hands-on forensic science course is designed for children and teens.  

Students are junior detectives in a community experiencing several recent crimes.  These crimes include a kidnapped teddy bear, a broken mailbox, a doorbell that won't stop ringing, and a stolen science kit.  To solve each mystery, students will conduct hands-on investigations.  In these investigations, they will match the evidence to determine who is responsible for each crime.   Students will learn techniques used in forensic science such as fingerprinting, chromatography, chemical reactions, fiber analysis, matching plant and soil samples, and analyzing tire, tool, teeth, and shoe impressions.

Taught by: Brigitte Robin, M.S., M.A.

Dates: Mondays from January 6 - February 24 (8 classes)

Time: 4:00 - 4:45 (CST)

Location: Online (live, synchronous)

Cost: $160 (comes out of allotment)

Supplies: WISE will help support supply needs. Once registered, we'll be in touch.

Minimum # of Participants: 3

Maximum # of Participants: 10

Subjects Covered:

• Fingerprinting

• Chromatography

• Unknown Substances

• Tire Impressions

• Shoe and Teeth Impressions

• Hair and Other Fibers

• Tool Marks

• Soil and Plants

Here is the full list of supplies that will be required. If you have items that are similar, substitutions can be made.

• Make-up brush

• Cocoa powder

• Hand lens (magnifying glass)

• Basic microscope

• Felt-tip black pens

• Filter paper strips (coffee filters can be used)

• Paint palette

• Syringes for liquid

• Baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, sugar, measuring spoons

• Two steel trays

• pH paper

• Graduated cylinders

• Funnels

• Styrofoam plate

• Plaster of Paris

• Small fabric samples: Polyester, Cotton, Wool, Rayon

• Clear plastic sheet protector

• Iodine

• Common items: Lego cars, plain paperclips, tools like a screwdriver, clear cups, pencil, felt-tip pen, vinegar, ziplock bags, candle, tweezers

Deadline to Register/Cancel: December 23rd

Before you register, please be aware of the new Field Trip Guidelines.

****Once you click "checkout," you will be directed to a registration page. There, you will indicate your personal information, read our policies, and indicate how you would like to pay. If you are using your WISE allotment, please select "cash payment."****