All contents of this website © Thom Jones, 2011.
Our forensic science programs cover a wide variety of evidence types and collection techniques and range from one hour library programs to multi-day advanced courses.
Our forensic science programs have been a huge hit with kids and their parents. Please click HERE for a link to an article about one of our camps.
We examine evidence and do hands-on collection activities using real crime scene investigation supplies. Most programs include a mock crime scene where participants collect evidence, analyze it, and solve a crime. The more advanced programs also include a section on questioning witnesses and suspects, and processing of a vehicle for evidence.
Announcements
Central Vermont Program (2 day), June 1 & 2 at Simplicity Farm in Waitsfield.
Burlington, VT programs on May 11 & 19. Please see Upcoming Programs page for more details.
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge programs: I will be holding a one-day program (Session 3) at the Refuge on May 4. It is not necessary to have attended Sessions 1 or 2 to register for this program. Please see the Upcoming Programs page for more details.
I am currently working on a completely new type of program that involves having the group read the Maltese Falcon and then do a forensic analysis of the mystery and of “what comes later.”
One question that a lot of parents ask is whether these programs are appropriate for their children. I want to assure all parents that these programs are designed specifically for kids. I do not include any content that could be troubling to kids. For instance, in the programs where we discuss blood, we use only synthetic training blood, and we only talk about it in terms a few drops of blood, instead of a bloody crime scene. In fact, a lot of parents have said that they wanted to stay for a little while to make sure that everything was okay for their kids, but then ended up staying for the whole program because they were having so much fun working with their kids on this fascinating area of science.
Anna finding a positive result from the phenolphthalein test. Photo courtesy of Alicia Bayer.
Luminescent reaction using BlueStar. Photo courtesy of Alicia Bayer.
Teen students developing latent fingerprints on a water bottle which was found as evidence in their mock crime scene at the Mississquoi National Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy of Ann Louise Santos.
A teen investigator documenting the location of evidence on the crime scene sketch at Mississquoi Nat. Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy of Ann Louise Santos.
We are now listed with some of the Arts in Ed BOCES programs in New York to facilitate easier scheduling for schools. We hope to be listed in more regions soon.
COMING SOON: I will be putting up a new page with projects that kids can do for science fairs or as at-home science activities. I will also have books and kits for sale.