What are the camps about?

The Forensic Science Camps use forensic science to allow like minded students in the middle years who like problem solving, working with others and solving challenges with little assistance from adults to be challenged! And very importantly also to have fun!

What is the difference between "The Ultimate Challenge"and "The Sacrificial Cat?

"The Ultimate Challenge"operates for 5 days and is designed for highly talented students who enjoy the chase, thrive on solving difficult problems and love a challenge. The campers are given a Police Report of a crime. From that report, they have to solve the crime.

The campers' success depends on their ingenuity and problem solving skills. They have access to various forensic tests, can interview people of interest, conduct searches of suspects' houses and do all they need to finally issue an arrest warrant of the suspect.

On the final day, the campers assume different roles in a court and try to have their suspect convicted.The heart of the camp is problem solving and stickability while working in small groups; at the same time, much forensic science is practiced and learnt.

A team of 12 students who have attended previous camps are responsible for writing the crimes and assisting the campers to solve their crime. There is no "correct" pathway - the route will depend on how the campers attack the challenge.

The camp is intellecutally challenging and very rewarding.
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"The Sacrificial Cat?" is in two parts. Firstly, students are given structured opportunities to practice many different Forensic Science activities including fingerprinting, blood crenation, chromatography & plaster casting. Secondly, they are given evidence relating to a crime & using that evidence & the skills they have learnt, they have to solve the crime. Each group's solution is unique.

The camp is very much "hands on" as students practice different forensic skills. For example, they practice making and lifting fingerprints, they find out how different surfaces affect the quality of fingerprints. They make different plaster casts and learn how different soils affect the quality of prints. They experiment with different pens to see the difference in the inks.

On the final afternoon, the groups combine to try and gain a conviction of the suspect.

The camp is challenging and very rewarding.

How are the two camps really different?

By their length and difficulty and the level of assistance provided. "The Ultimate Challenge" is a very interactive camp with multiple pathways to the solution.

"The Sacrificial Cat?" is easier and it is designed as a self contained programme for a group of students who want to enjoy the challenge of solving a crime and learning some forensic science skills.

"The Sacrificial Cat?" can be modified to suit the needs of schools.

My child is in Year 8 - which camp is best?

That depends. The Sacrificial Cat? is shorter & has more structure than The Ultimate Challenge where students have to be prepared to problem solve themselves. If a child is not highly motivated & does not have great "stickability" they will not enjoy The Ultimate Challenge.

What have students said about both camps?

• One of the most amazing experiences - thank you
• I had a great time. It was fun
• Thanks for constructing the camp, I really enjoyed it - thank you
• I loved getting the chance to meet people from around the state who have similar interests to me...
• The worst thing about the camp was having to leave
• I had so much fun and I will totally remember it for ever
• ...it was worth doing instead of sitting at home doing nothing in the holidays
• The best thing about the camp was solving the case and using the lab stuff and also the challenge
• The best thing about the camp was being able to work with people with the same capabilities as me

Information for schools:

• A detailed risk management plan has been written and will be tailored for each school
• Assisting supervising teachers do not need to be science trained
• Briefing notes are given to supervising teachers
• Logistics - Access to science laboratories, computers to read an Excel file and a space in which the whole group can meet
• One day set up prior to the camp; minimal time required post camp
• Thorough evaluation of student responses conducted.

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