Students study science to solve murder mystery

Jul 18, 2016 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — High school students are working to solve a murder mystery during a five-day workshop for youth with a keen interest in science. 

Seventeen students from schools in BC and Alberta have gathered at Thompson Rivers University for the Genome BC Geneskool Summer Camp this week. 

Students were presented with a mock crime scene as the camp began this morning, July 18, and began investigating the scene for finger prints, analyzing blood splatters, and collecting clues.

The campers will use the forensic evidence to determine what happened before presenting their findings on Friday. 

As students participate in a variety of labs throughout the week they will learn to gather evidence, use lab equipment, and apply the use of genomics in everyday life. 

“It’s really great because they’re learning basic laboratory skills and techniques which you normally wouldn’t get until you went to college or university and they’re getting that now in high school,” camp director Ashley Port said. 

Port added the hope is to teach students the value of science and math and the kinds of opportunites these subjects provide. 

“Our goal is to expose them to different opportunities within the science field but also acknowledging that they could try science and maybe want to do some sort of variety of science,” Port said, “It’s really just to help them explore what they might be interested in.”