Past Day Camps

2011 Winter Day Camp: Forensics
Program Overview
The Dunes Center education staff focuses the creation of their lessons on science, technology, and mathematics while simultaneously meeting the California State Science Standards.  Our newest program which is planned for release during the winter break of 2011 is our Forensics Winter Day Camp.  This program is modeled for grades 5 through 9 and will take participants on a four day journey investigating topics such as fingerprinting, acid, base and lipid tests, decomposition and determining blood types.  Each of the lessons develops their skills in observation, chemistry, mathematics and critical thinking, all of which are key components professionals use to solve crimes.

The residents of Guadalupe are in great need of programs like the Dunes Center’s winter camp so that they can perform better in school, gain an interest in the sciences and explore the many applications of STEM topics as career choices.

Daily Schedule
Day One: Fingerprinting 101, Taking, Lifting and Latent Fingerprints, King Oscar/Body Farm, Trace Evidence, Casting Shoeprints

Day Two: Casting Shoeprints part 2, Physics and Crime, Blood Spatter, Barcodes-DNA

Day Three: Chemistry to Analyze Evidence, Mystery Powders, Burned Documents, Digestion and Stomach Evidence

Day Four: Preservation vs. Decomposition, King Oscar/Body Farm part 2, Forensic Anthropology, Bone Identification

Summary
Overall the program was delivered to the satisfaction of the participants, parents, instructor and the program manager.  The tangible results being that we have a full class and enough practical activities that were both interesting and engaging.  Additionally, there was improvement in knowledge by all the participants with an average increase of 21%. Parents provided constructive feedback and would be willing to contribute to a fee based program in the future.  Student feedback shared that the program was interesting and they would also look forward to participating in another program.

A key to maintaining return participants in the program is to develop new and exciting curriculum that peaks the interest in youth.  This does take a considerable amount of time.  On average, a 15 hour program takes 60 hours to complete the written curriculum and research and an additional 20 hours, to create the handbooks/lab manuals, test the activities and create product samples.  This time does not include arrangements for field trips and/or partner communication to schedule programs and training of interns/staff.

The Forensics program was no exception to the development of a new and exciting program that piqued the interest of the community.  Future programs will be scheduled as instructors are available and appropriate steps will be taking to deliver the program effectively for all age groups.

Our Day Camps in the News

Students Become Detectives in Guadalupe Aired: December 19th

Study Science Over Winter Break
SM Sun: December 8-15

Photos

For more information please contact us:

The Dunes Center
1055 Guadalupe St.
Guadalupe, CA 93434
Phone: 805.343.2455
Fax: 805.343.0442