Criminal activities plotted by bright young school students will be solved in the upcoming school holidays by dozens of their peers, at a unique immersive science camp in northern NSW.
The 16th annual Forensic Science Camp at The Armidale School (TAS), to be held from April 16-23, has this year attracted 90 boys and girls who attend 32 different state and independent schools, in cities and country towns, in four states and territories.
The camp was first held in 1994 and attracted widespread interest after featuring on the former ABC TV science show Quantum. It is acknowledged as a leading academic enrichment opportunity for gifted and talented students in Year 8 (NSW) and Year 9 (Queensland).
For the camp, participants are divided into groups and then solve fictitious felonies using a range of forensic techniques, including microscopy, chromatography, fingerprint analysis, cryptography and general science. They analyse the evidence, identify and interview the suspects, order medical and scientific tests and search criminal databases. On the final day of the camp, a local magistrate conducts a ‘court case’ in which the teams had the chance to convict their suspect.
Armidale High School Year 10 student Emily Wark, who is attending her fifth camp and this year is the Camp Director, has been working on this year’s event since a few days after last year’s camp wrapped up.
“This year’s camp will be the biggest for many years, with students coming from as far as Ballarat, and several leading Sydney schools as well,” she said, adding that word of mouth from previous campers, particularly via social media, had significantly boosted interest.
There is no doubt the popularity of a television genre that includes shows like the CSI franchise, Bones and Criminal Mind has helped. But there’s also the experience of being part of the action, with other bright students.
“They learn how to deal with people they don’t know and may not even like, work together to respond to a challenge and meet a deadline, and develop all sorts of other skills including logical thinking, public speaking, and leadership.”
