C Is for Classroom: Cultivating Curiosity and Critical Thinking Through Forensic Science

ByDr. Judy Staveley

Picture a classroom buzzing with excitement. Some students are leaning over their desks, dusting for “mystery” fingerprints like the ones they’ve read about in stories.

Their eyes widen as the patterns appear—discovery, excitement and learning all at once.

As the school year gets underway, many educators are looking for fresh ways to bring real-world relevance and excitement into their classrooms. Forensic science, once mostly seen in crime dramas, is now making its way into elementary education as a fun and accessible way to promote critical thinking, inquiry, and cross-curricular learning.

What do fingerprints, footprints and fiber analysis have in common? These are examples of forensic trace evidence—clues used to solve mysteries and uncover what happened. While often linked to crime-solving, forensic science is fundamentally about asking questions, gathering evidence and drawing conclusions. These skills align well with science standards and literacy goals. For young learners who are naturally curious and love hands-on activities, forensic science is a powerful teaching tool.

Why Forensics? Why Now?

With a background in biotechnology and forensic science, and a passion for STEMM education, I’ve seen how children naturally engage when given the chance to explore mysteries and the unknown. I wanted to capture that thrill in a way that kids can enjoy and understand.

The solution was blending playful storytelling with hands-on forensic activities. That led to creating a forensic-themed alphabet—“A is for Analysis” to “Z is for Zero Contamination”—to introduce real forensic concepts without overwhelming young learners.

Forensic science introduces young students to core scientific practices:

• Making careful observations;
• Following clues and analyzing patterns;
• Drawing logical conclusions from evidence; and
• Communicating findings clearly and accurately.

These aren’t just skills for detectives—they’re foundational academic skills that support inquiry in science, reading comprehension, and even social and emotional learning.

Using forensic-themed activities in the classroom allows teachers to:

• Build vocabulary through scientific terms and procedural writing;
• Promote collaboration and problem-solving; and
• Make learning feel like play while reinforcing academic standards.

As teachers, you already know how powerful it is to translate complicated ideas into engaging, age-appropriate lessons. Whether analyzing “evidence” after reading a mystery or hosting a classroom scavenger hunt, these activities encourage inquiry-based learning in meaningful ways.

Why Forensic Literacy Matters in Early Education

Hands-on forensic activities help students:

• Build logical reasoning;
• Strengthen observation and attention to detail;
• Understand real-world applications of science; and
• Engage with ethical and problem-solving scenarios.

These skills go far beyond the lab—they’re foundational for lifelong learning.

By bringing forensic science activities into early education, you can give children tools that go beyond the lab.

Simple Forensic Activities for the Classroom

Looking to bring forensic science into your classroom? Try these low-prep, high-impact activities:

• Fingerprint Fun: Have students “dust” for their own fingerprints using pencils, tape and paper.
• Fiber Detective: Provide small fabric samples and magnifying glasses. Students can compare fibers to guess which “suspect” they came from.
• Animal Track Hunt: Hide paper animal tracks around the classroom and challenge students to match them to the right animals.
• Fruit DNA Extraction: For older students, extract DNA from strawberries—a simple way to connect biology to real-world science.
• Invite a Local Expert: Host a Q&A with a forensic scientist or local law enforcement to help inspire future investigators.

These activities support inquiry-based learning and align with science standards in fun, meaningful ways. Want to see even more in-depth examples? A free, downloadable Next Generation Science Standards-aligned guide that expands on my A to Z Forensics vocabulary idea—with additional hands-on lessons—is available on Share My Lesson here.

Teaching Tips

• Integrate into your science block, English language arts lessons, or as a STEMM Friday activity.
• Use as part of a career exploration unit.
• Scaffold activities with vocabulary (e.g., "evidence," "observe," "analyze").
• Encourage students to record observations, make predictions and reflect on outcomes.

Encouraging Curiosity in Every Student

During a recent STEMM demo, a young student asked me, “Can I be a scientist too?” That one question reminded me why early exposure to real-world science is so important.

​​Representation and experience matter. 

Students often imagine themselves in the roles we show them—scientists, explorers, storytellers. When we introduce forensic science through reading and activity, we open the door to possibility.

For Educators to Reflect on and Share

As you consider adding forensic science to your teaching toolkit, here are a few prompts to inspire planning and reflection:

• Lesson Planning and Engagement: How could you integrate forensic-inspired activities into your science or literacy lessons? Could a mystery-based unit hook reluctant learners?
• Storytelling and Science: What books or narratives could you pair with an investigation activity? How does storytelling enhance student engagement in your classroom?
• Representation and STEMM Careers: Which science or forensic careers can you highlight in your classroom? What role does career exploration play in your STEMM instruction?

Each time you invite your students to “solve a case,” whether through fingerprinting, tracking mystery prints or following clues in a story, you’re offering more than just a fun activity. You’re encouraging observation, inquiry and critical thinking—skills that last a lifetime.

Your classroom can be more than a place for instruction; it can be a lab, a detective agency and a launchpad for future scientists. Why not inspire the next big discovery right there in your own space? You don’t need a lab coat to spark a love of science. Sometimes, all it takes is a good book, a little fingerprint powder and a curious mind.

Free Resources for Bringing Forensic Science to Kids

• Teacher’s Guide to C is for Crime Scene by Dr. Judy Staveley: An A-to-Z introduction to forensic science, showing real tools and techniques used to solve crimes.
• Dr. Judy Staveley’s Science Activities:Hands-on STEMM activities designed to complement storytelling and spark curiosity about forensic science.
• International Spy Museum’s Educator Resources & Digital Learning HQ: A rich online portal offering free lesson plans, activities, and multimedia content to support educators in delivering thrilling, inquiry-based learning through the lens of espionage and mystery.
• Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations “Forensic Science Education” Resource Page:A valuable free hub with curated forensic science activities for kids, book recommendations,and links to organizations promoting forensic science literacy.

This post is adapted from an original piece on the ALSC Blog, revised with teachers in mind for Share My Lesson.