Crime scene investigation has discovered a new scene, Augusta Schools.
Some Augusta students have been spending the beginning of their summer vacation collecting evidence, taking photos of the scene, dusting for fingerprints and learning how to help solve the crime. The CSI camp has been made possible by a grant received from Northern Kentucky University.
According to science teacher Sean Stewart, NKU ran similar camps on its campus. However the university decided to put out grants to make the camp possible for kids who aren't located near NKU.
Stewart said several teachers and administrators wrote the grant together. The grant is a $3,000 shared grant.
"It's been fun investigating," said seventh grade student Hunter Kelsch. "It's been really cool."
Eleven students in fifth through eighth grade are participating in the free camp. Stewart said all the students had to do was sign up.
"It's worked out so well," said Stewart. "They really took to it the first day."
Stewart said the first day the students experienced a brief mock crime scene. The students have continued to learn about forensic and crime scene work throughout the week to prepare them for a field trip to Frankfort on Wednesday. Students have been doing labs and working with DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, paper crimotography and forensic photography.
Two student workers have been helping with the camp. The grant pays the students $7 dollars an hour.
Augusta High School student Ryan Kelsch is one of those helping the younger students.
"I've loved getting to interact with the kids and making it a good and interesting time for them while doing so for myself," said Ryan Kelsch. "You've gotta make it very interesting to keep their attention and so far it's been very successful."
Bracken County Coroner John Parker has been working with the students throughout the week. In Frankfort, the students visited the State Medical Examiner's office. Parker said students had the opportunity to hear Director Mike Wilder speak, visit a crime lab and take a tour through a toxicology lab. Parker said the students also got to see skeletal remains from actual crime scenes.
"I thought that it was pretty neat that the teachers were as interested as the students were," said Parker.
Parker has been assisting the students in keeping records, writing things down, and learning what to collect. Each student has a small notebook to take notes as well as a photo ID badge. Parker said the badges were provided by the Bracken County Health Department.
Parker said his favorite part of the CSI camp has been being involved with it.
"It was neat to share a little bit of what we do," said Parker. "It used to be you didn't tell anybody what you did because nobody wanted to know. And now everyone is interested because of the CSI shows."
On Thursday, the students participated in an actual crime scenario. The murder victim was played by Principal Lisa McCane. The murder location, the school library. Students took pictures of the body and crime scene, collected evidence found throughout the area, and dusted for prints. The scenario was made as real as possible. Students even worked with fake blood.
"My favorite part was the fake blood, and trying to figure out what happened," said eighth grader Jasmine Wheeler.
"It's unbelievable how much they've learned and they've really had fun with it," said Stewart.
Augusta will also be hosting several other camps throughout the summer including volleyball, baseball and band.
This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent. Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy.
Jobs
Homes
Cars
