At the National Student Leadership Conference summer Forensic Science program, high school students unravel a mystery as they conduct an investigation and build a body of evidence. Interact with experts in medicine, law enforcement and the legal profession who will give you an insider’s view into the life of a professional forensic scientist.
College Credit is Available for This Program
The National Student Leadership Conference has a unique partnership with American University to offer college credit for our high school summer programs across all campuses. The American University is distinguished as a premier global university and known for turning “ideas into action and action into service.” As a result of this NSLC/AU alliance, students attending the NSLC’s summer programs for high school students have the opportunity to take an online college credit course taught by American University faculty. The course is completed after returning home at hours that suit your schedule, enabling you to enhance your education without interrupting NSLC activities.
Read more about earning college credit through your NSLC program.
Program Highlights
Crime scene simulation
Work with your team to solve a challenging murder case.
Forensic Workshops
Learn cutting-edge techniques including fingerprint and DNA analysis.
Guest speakers
Meet leading forensic scientists from the FBI, NCIS, Department of Justice and other law enforcement organizations.
Dates & Locations
American University
Washington, DC
- June 14 – June 22
- June 25 – July 3
- July 7 – July 15
- July 19 – July 27
- July 31 – August 8
Hands-on 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.
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
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.
Examples of past guest speakers include:
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. Richard Cooter
Director of Forensic Psychology, George Washington University
Dr. Jenifer Smith
Director of the D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS)
Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr. MD FASCP
Chief Medical Examiner, Washington, D.C.
Behind-the-Scenes 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. These trips may include:
- DEA - U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
- FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
- OCME - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Northern Virginia
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Capitol Hill
- Historic Georgetown
- D.C. Monuments at Night
Leadership Training
At the heart of each of our youth leadership programs is a 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 Medicine & Health Care program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Public Speaking
- Stress and Time Management
Your NSLC tuition is all-inclusive. Your tuition covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation throughout your program.
We offer a comprehensive scholarship program to assist qualified students with the cost of NSLC tuition, based on financial need, academic merit and extracurriculars.
Fundraising is a great way to raise funds to contribute toward your NSLC program tuition while also forging relationships with leaders in your community.