High School Students Explore Science at BVU
The Estelle Siebens Science Center classrooms were filled with high school students grades 10-12 on Oct. 29 for SCI@BVU Day, held by BVU's School of Science.
The Estelle Siebens Science Center classrooms were filled with high school students, grades 10-12 on Oct. 29 for BVU’s SCI@BVU Day, held by the BVU School of Science.
Students from area high schools and their science teachers were invited to BVU to help solve a fictional murder with forensic science. Led by BVU professors and students, the groups of four high school students engaged in lab activities with DNA samples, fingerprints, pharmaceuticals, code-cracking, and more.
Together with their teachers, the groups used information from a crime scene to figure out the mystery using state-of-the-art lab equipment. Students could be seen searching computer systems for data, investigating chemical contaminants, and comparing DNA samples from several subjects. Fort Dodge Senior High teacher Rose Gammello said, “We don’t have the opportunity to do things like this in our classroom, so I have several science-lovers here who are really enjoying the chance to be hands-on and use this equipment.”
Science teacher Will Swanson from Storm Lake High School compared the real-life experience to what is typically seen on crime scene investigation on TV. “You typically see crimes being solved in 60 minutes on TV, but this experience is much more real. It’s a cool opportunity that I’m hoping sparks an interest in science careers.”
Attendance for SCI@BVU Day was at full capacity.