Collect evidence, solve a crime
Are you fascinated by crime scene investigations? Do you want to learn the cutting-edge techniques used by forensic scientists around the globe? At the National Student Leadership Conference high school summer Forensic Science program, you will unravel a mystery as you conduct an investigation and build a body of evidence.
Explore this program:
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Interactive Career Simulations
The NSLC high school program on Forensic Science uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of crime scene investigation. You and your team will work together to solve the mystery of a realistic crime scene. In this true-to-life simulation, you will gather evidence, study the clues, analyze the data and, maybe, solve the crime.
Meet Forensic Professionals
While at the NSLC’s high school summer forensic science program, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the fields of forensic science and law enforcement. In past years, NSLC students have heard from special guest speakers including top analysts from agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
- Commander Edward Reedy, Chief Deputy Medical Examiner, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner
- Special Agent Robert Fram, Scientific Analysis Section Chief, FBI Laboratory
- Dr. Max Houck, Director, Forensic Science Initiative, West Virginia University
- Dr. Patricia Kauffman, Region III Director, Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team
College-Level Curriculum
At the NSLC high school forensic science program, you will enjoy college-level lectures on the basics of forensic science. The lecture series will give you a foundation of knowledge that will be vital to your success not only during the conference but also in your future career as a crime scene investigator. Topics include: Investigative Techniques, Forensic Science and the Law and the Crime Laboratory.
In small groups you will learn the skills of crime scene investigation including:
- DNA Analysis
- Blood Spatter Analysis
- Skeletal Identification
- Fingerprinting
- Footwear and Tire Impressions
Leadership Workshops
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Forensic Science program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Public Speaking
- Conflict Resolution
- Stress and Time Management
Trips & Tours
An important part of the NSLC high school forensic science program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Forensic Science:
Washington, D.C.
- The Central Intelligence Agency
- The National Museum of Health and Medicine
- The National Library of Medicine
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Capitol Hill
- Baltimore Harbor
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
Sample Schedule
Day 1
- Registration
- Campus Tours
- Opening Ceremony
- TA Group Orientation
Day 2
- AU Credit Option
- Ropes Challenge Course
- Leadership Series: Group Dynamics & Personality Matrix
- Lecture: Crime Scene Investigation
- Pizza Night
Day 3
- National Museum of Health and Medicine Visit
- White House Picnic at Lafayette Park
- Lecture: The Crime Laboratory
- Forensic Skills Workshop: Fingerprinting
- Leadership Series: Community
- TA Group Meeting
Day 4
- Crime Scene Simulation
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Leadership Workshop: Ethics
- Washington at Night Tour
- Jefferson Memorial
- FDR Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Vietnam War and Korean War Memorials
- Iwo Jima Memorial
Day 5
- Investigation Team Meeting
- Guest Speaker
- Leadership Workshop: Time Management
- Forensic Workshop: Skeletal Analysis
- AU Credit Option
- Documentary: Investigative Techniques
Day 6
- Capitol Hill and the Smithsonian Institution
- Congressional Visits
- Library of Congress
- Air and Space Museum
- National Gallery of Art
- American History Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
- Investigation Team Meeting
- Forensic Science Workshop: DNA Extraction
Day 7
- Guest Speaker
- TA Group Meeting
- Lecture: Forensics and the Law
- Investigative Team Meeting
- Game Night
Day 8
- AU Credit Option
- Forensics Workshop: Footwear and Tire Impressions
- Investigative Team Meeting
- Lecture: Careers in Forensic Science
- Baltimore Harbor
Day 9
- AU Credit Option
- Forensics Workshop: Blood Spatter Analysis
- National Museum of Crime & Punishment
- Leadership Workshop: Public Speaking
- Grand Jury Simulation
- Dance
Day 10
- Case Resolution
- Closing Ceremony
- Final TA Meeting
