Mystery solved: ORISE course helps teachers create mock crime scenes to infuse forensic chemistry

It’s no mystery that students love solving puzzles, especially when they’re part of an engaging classroom experience.

A handful of teachers from around East Tennessee—and even as far away as Memphis and Kentucky—came to learn how to incorporate forensic techniques like fiber analysis and blood typing into their STEM curricula. The workshop aimed to empower educators to inspire students by connecting scientific concepts to real-world applications.

One of the attendees, Lori Moss of Bluegrass Elementary School in Knoxville, Tenn., brought 24 years of teaching experience to the workshop. As she prepares for her 14^th year as a STEM teacher, Moss is always on the lookout for fresh ideas to engage her students—especially her 5^th graders. “STEM has a fun factor, and many kids respond to it whether science is their favorite or not,” Moss said. “I find that the kids who might not perform as well in day-to-day classroom subjects can stand out in STEM. They can thrive there.”

STEM: A gateway to lifelong skills

Moss emphasizes the value of STEM education not only for its academic rigor but also for its ability to teach essential life skills. “Aside from the subject matter, they’re learning teamwork, conversation skills, critical thinking, and soft skills that are crucial for success. We also integrate technology into the lessons,” Moss explained. “They don’t realize everything they’re learning—it’s just fun for them.”

Inspired by the workshop, Moss plans to adapt the forensic chemistry activities for her 5th-grade students, helping prepare them for middle school while sparking their curiosity in science. “At the end of the year, teachers are tired and ready for a break, but this workshop has me excited to get back into the classroom and try new ideas to inspire the kids,” she said.

A crime scene in the classroom

The workshop featured a unique approach to teaching forensic chemistry, led by Chelsei Day, a chemistry and physics teacher at Walker Valley High School in Cleveland, Tenn. Day shared how she created a mock crime scene for her students, complete with suspects and evidence. Her students solved the mystery through lab tests and analysis of clues, connecting classroom concepts to practical applications.

ORISE invited Day to lead a professional development course, where she not only demonstrated her methods but also taught other educators how to incorporate forensic chemistry mysteries into their own classrooms. By sharing her expertise, Day empowered teachers to inspire a new generation of students to explore STEM careers. She even led a two-day mini academy for students where participants had to figure out who poisoned Principal Parker!

Bridging gaps and inspiring students

Day, who teaches in a rural school, emphasized the importance of engaging students through hands-on activities. “Most of my students want to be farmers, welders, or join the military. Many have absolutely no interest in chemistry. But in Tennessee, chemistry or physics is required to graduate high school,” Day explained. “Activities like these shift their perspective—they’re not just thinking about ionic bonds and how much they hate them. They’re looking at them from a technical perspective, which aligns with the technical fields they want to pursue.”

By demonstrating how required classes connect to the real world, Day has found success in sparking student interest in STEM. “I want to bridge gaps and make connections with students I might not otherwise reach,” she said.

Collaboration for growth

For Moss, opportunities to share resources and learn from other educators are invaluable. “Trying experiments that worked for other teachers is such a great opportunity,” she said. Inspired by the workshop, Moss is eager to implement the forensic chemistry activities in her classroom, confident that they will resonate with her students.

The Mystery in the Classroom workshop exemplifies how creative approaches to teaching STEM can transform learning experiences, fostering curiosity and critical thinking in students while equipping teachers with tools to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.