This grant will provide resources supporting multiple units throughout the year. Examples include entomology bioramas, 3D dissection models, DNA manipulatives, and more. Students will benefit from having hands-on reference models and materials incorporated into daily lessons; though many objectives can be accomplished digitally and/or virtually, high school students learn best with tangible learning material.

Currently, most of our Forensic materials are digital, or are consumables and require frequent re-supply. Because Forensics is a fairly new course, the supply of materials and equipment is lacking, thereby limiting our ability to be hands-on. Though we can, and do, utilize digital and virtual materials, theory is only part of the learning process. Limited resources mean our students are missing out on engaging activities. Our goal is to provide an enriching learning environment and increase student participation. 

Our request will not only allow us to create engaging lesson plans and activities, it will also solve logistical issues we routinely face. For example, one lesson plan in our Impressions Unit involves analyzing tire tread; however, we are limited by access to tires, weather, storage, etc. This grant will provide scaled-down tires that can be easily handled by students, as well as be easy to store. For the DNA unit, students must be able to explain procedures for DNA profiling. Being able to review DNA structure and the action of restriction enzymes during electrophoresis using hands-on models and manipulatives is preferential to reading sections of DNA strands on paper. These are only two examples of how this grant will support the Forensics curriculum.