Forensic Science

Approved by the NCAA
Girls-Only & ​All-Gender Course; Prerequisite - Completion of two years of high school laboratory science or permission from the administration; Full-year course
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Forensic Science examines the application of science to the criminal and civil laws enforced by the criminal justice system. Students explore the science of criminology by using a combination of science disciplines. As students learn to differentiate between actual techniques and some of those portrayed on popular television shows, they evaluate current procedures used by real crime labs to understand some of the limitations of the law, police, and forensics science. Students examine scientific techniques behind the analysis of physical and eyewitness evidence, toxicology, DNA fingerprinting, fire and explosives, bones, handwriting and document analysis, and other relevant pieces of evidence. Throughout the course, students investigate simulated crime and accident scenes, collect and analyze evidence, and develop observation skills and deductive reasoning. The course includes a study of the variety of careers in forensic science. This exploration is completed through a mixture of laboratory exercises, class discussions and projects, online simulations and games, and analysis of representation of forensic science in the media.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY

"This course was informative and engaging. I have been appropriately challenged and this was a good course to take."

WHAT STUDENTS DO
Learning is an active process at One Schoolhouse. Students design, create and apply. And, they engage with classmates and connect with their teachers through discussions, video conferences, and projects. Specifically, in this class students will:
  • Set goals that drive their learning. Students reflect regularly on their growth, and meet on video chat with their online teacher to review progress towards their goals.
  • Have choice in how they learn new content and practice new skills. Students are given agency to determine the best ways for them to learn.
  • Apply what they are learning to the real world. Learning is meaningful and connects to concepts outside the classroom.
  • Practice constructive engagement in a diverse and changing world. Students interact with classmates from across the country and around the world.
  • Gain academic maturity. Online learning takes greater discipline and independence than a traditional face-to-face classroom. Teachers support students to build this skill.
MEET A TEACHER FOR THIS COURSE
SIGNATURE ACTIVITIES
Examples of signature activities and projects for this course are:
  • ​Students will create a crime scene of their choice with specific evidence. They will document a search of the crime scene and describe their search method, what evidence would be collected and how, their theory of the crime.
  • Students will do online simulations forensically testing blood, DNA, bones, crime scene searches.
  • Students will work in groups to create a public service announcement detailing why it is important to wear seat belts based on their knowledge of crash scene investigations.
  • Students will research and create a presentation about someone who has been wrongly convicted and how this person was eventually exonerated.​
Kathleen Teel
Science Teacher
BS University of Kansas
​MA University of New Mexico​