STEAM Academy takes on Crime Scene Investigation

On February 25 and 26, the Elizabeth Middle School (EMS) STEAM Academy took learning beyond the classroom during an engaging Crime SceneInvestigation (CSI) workshop led by an RCMP forensic specialist. The hands-onexperience allowed students to explore how science, technology, engineering,arts, and mathematics intersect in real-world investigative work.

The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Academy is one of five academies available to Grade 7 and 8 students at EMS, alongside Hockey, Dance, Drama, and Arts. Each academy is offered twice during the last period of the school day within a six-day timetable rotation.

The STEAM Academy is taught by Adina Coles, a science teacher at Kindersley Composite School (KCS), and classes are held in her science lab at KCS. Mrs. Coles explained that the academy was created to give students opportunities to explore scientific concepts in greater depth through experiential learning.

“STEAM Academy was offered to give students a chance to divea little deeper into those topics and get more experiential learning than one might get in a typical math or science class,” said Mrs. Coles.

Over the past year, STEAM Academy students have explored a wide range of topics, including microscopy, chemistry experiments, and coding. The academy has also hosted special events such as a Science with Girls day,which proved to be very popular.

Student interest in the academy is strong. Sierra, one of the STEAM Academy participants, shared her enthusiasm for the program, noting that she enjoys problem-solving and working with scientific tools like microscopes. Another student, Mackenzie, said the academy inspired her so much that she asked for a microscope for Christmas after learning how to use one through the academy.

For the CSI workshop, Mrs. Coles reached out to local RCMP detachment, and Acting Corporal Mike Hill, who has 14 years of experience as a forensic specialist, volunteered to lead the sessions. Acting Corporal Hill guided students through the fundamentals of crime scene analysis while sharing insights from his career in law enforcement.

Acting Corporal Hill emphasized the value of hands-on learning, telling students that while classroom instruction is important, applying skills in real-world scenarios can help them better understand potential career paths. He noted that the students were highly engaged, eager to ask questions, and enthusiastic about learning forensic techniques.

During the first session, student volunteers staged a mock crime scene, which the STEAM Academy students then secured and investigated under Acting Corporal Hill’s guidance. Over the two sessions, students learned proper evidence collection procedures, how to protect the evidence trail, and how to use forensic tools correctly.

Students practiced dusting for and lifting fingerprints, collecting blood samples, conducting fibre analysis using microscopes, and documenting evidence, skills that are commonly used in real criminal investigations. Nick, one of the participants, summarized the experience byexplaining that students learned how to gather and analyze different types ofevidence. Sierra added that the variety of activities made the workshop especially fun and memorable.

Mrs. Coles said the workshop was an excellent example ofauthentic, inquiry-based learning and highlighted the importance of community partnerships in enriching student experiences.

“This was an incredible hands-on learning opportunity for our students,” said Mrs. Coles. “They were able to see how STEAM subjects are used in real investigative work, and they were completely engaged throughout the experience.”

She also expressed appreciation for the RCMP’s involvementand support.

“A huge thank you to Acting Corporal Mike Hill and our local RCMP for taking the time to share their expertise and for supporting such meaningful, memorable learning for our students,” Coles said. “Experiences like this truly bring STEAM to life, and who knows, we may have inspired a few future forensic scientists.”

The video below provides some highlights from the experience.