Comstock Park — “Oh, it’s changing!” said sixth-grader Claire Bolek to her partner Aubrie Foley as they examined a powder in their “lab.”
The girls were testing different powders to determine who their “suspect” was in a fictional crime, the task part of the district’s 2024 Summer Science Camp. This year’s theme was Mystery Festival, with students using forensic science to solve a murder mystery.
“I think (camp) is a really good thing,” said eighth-grader Ethan Aderianse, who was attending with his brother, fifth-grader Avery. “Not only do I get to do something with my younger brother, but we are also learning how science plays a real role in solving a crime.”
Rachel Wohlford, a teacher at Mill Creek Middle School who leads the summer camp, said participating students are recommended by teachers based on their interest in science. This year, the program had 27 students in grades 5-8.
On the first day, students walked into a “crime scene” where they were asked to solve the case of who killed “Felix Navidad.”
To do so, they conducted a variety of experiments such as comparing DNA, looking for trace evidence on clothing and testing the water found in the ice trays for poison. Students also had the opportunity to visit a Michigan State Police crime lab to see some real-life detectives.
“We got to burn stuff,” Ethan said, when asked what his four-member group considered their favorite task. “We were burning different strings to determine what type of string was found at the crime scene.”
At the end of the four-day camp, the students came together to discuss who they thought the suspect or suspects were by analyzing the results of their experiments.
Wohlford said there were a few different solutions depending on what direction the students went with their sleuthing. She emphasized that the ultimate goal was not to determine a suspect, but instead to get the students learning about science and its real-world uses.
Sixth-grader A’mya VandenBerg said she enjoyed working with the teachers and learning more about science and its applications.
“They made us laugh and were supportive of us as we did the experiences,” A’mya said.
Read more from Comstock Park:
• Camp aims to build better bonds between students, school resource officers
• Districts are feeding more students due to universal free meals
