The Case

  • 🚨 A Crime Has Been Committed - Something has gone missing (the teacher's lunch? the principal's trophy? the class mascot?) and the suspects have been identified
  • 📋 Evidence Was Left Behind - A fingerprint on the door. A mysterious powder on the desk. A note written in suspicious ink. A shoeprint by the window.
  • 🔬 Your Job: Work the Evidence - Rotate through forensic stations, collect data in your evidence log, and match what you find to the suspects
  • ✅ Crack the Case - When all the evidence points the same way, you've got your answer

We customize the mystery scenario for your group - the sillier the "crime," the more fun the investigation.

Forensic Stations

Every session includes the three core stations. Additional stations can be added depending on age and session length.

🖌

Fingerprint Analysis

Dust surfaces with fingerprint powder, lift prints with tape, and classify them as loops, whorls, or arches. Then compare what you found to the suspect cards. Can you make a match?

Core Station
🧪

Mystery Powder Analysis

The suspect left a white powder at the scene. Is it baking soda? Salt? Cornstarch? Sugar? Test with water, vinegar, and iodine to figure out what it is - then match it to what was found in each suspect's locker.

Core Station
🖊

Ink Chromatography

The suspect left a note - but which pen wrote it? Separate ink into its hidden colors using coffee filters and water. Each pen has a unique color fingerprint. Match the ink to solve the clue.

Core Station
👁

Witness Observation Test

A "scene" is shown for 30 seconds - then taken away. How many details can you remember? Color of the hat? Number of items on the table? This is why real detectives don't rely on memory alone.

Add-On Station
🦯

Shoeprint Analysis

A muddy shoeprint was found at the scene. Press shoes into foam trays to make impressions, then compare tread patterns to the evidence print. Every shoe tells a story.

Add-On Station
🔮

UV Light Evidence

Some clues are invisible - until you hit them with UV light. Hidden messages, secret marks, and fluorescent traces appear under black light. The suspect thought they cleaned up, but the evidence glows.

Add-On Station
🦷

Dental Impressions

A bite mark was left on the evidence! Make a dental impression in clay or foam, then compare bite patterns to the suspects. Every set of teeth is unique - just like fingerprints.

Add-On Station
🧸

Fiber & Hair Analysis

A thread was caught on the window latch. Use magnifying glasses to compare fibers, thread colors, and textures to samples from each suspect. What material is it? Who was wearing it?

Add-On Station

What Students Will Learn

Observation Skills

Scientists look carefully, record what they see, and don't jump to conclusions. Every station trains this muscle.

Chemical Reactions

Vinegar + baking soda fizzes. Iodine + starch turns purple. These aren't magic - they're chemistry, and they help identify unknowns.

Classification & Patterns

Fingerprints have types. Inks have signatures. Evidence is only useful when you can sort, compare, and match.

Evidence-Based Reasoning

You can't just guess - you need proof. Forensic science teaches the same thinking scientists use everywhere.

Workshop Flow

  • The Briefing (10 min) - Present the crime scene, introduce the suspects, hand out evidence logs
  • Station Rotations (40-60 min) - Teams rotate through forensic stations, collecting and recording evidence at each one
  • Case Review (10-15 min) - Teams compare notes, discuss conflicting evidence, and present their conclusions
  • The Big Reveal (5 min) - Who did it? Was your team right?

Age Adaptations

  • Ages 4-6 - 3 core stations with simplified steps. Fingerprint stamping (ink pads, not dusting). Powder tests with just water and vinegar. Chromatography with markers. Big visual clues.
  • Ages 7-9 - Full core stations plus 1-2 add-ons. Real dusting powder. More suspects, trickier clues. Evidence logs with guided questions.
  • Ages 10-12 - All stations available. Red herrings in the evidence. Conflicting clues that require reasoning. Open-ended evidence logs - make your own case.

Why Schools Love This Workshop

  • Every Kid Is Engaged - There's a mystery to solve and they're the detectives. Motivation is built in.
  • Real Science, Fun Wrapper - Chemistry, observation, classification, and reasoning disguised as a crime drama
  • Team Problem Solving - Kids work together, compare findings, and debate conclusions
  • Take-Home Kit - Fingerprint card, chromatography results, and a mini forensic kit to keep investigating
  • Customizable Mystery - We tailor the "crime" to your school for maximum laughs
  • Low Mess - All materials contained at stations, easy cleanup

Perfect For

  • Elementary Classrooms (K-5) - Connects to science process skills at every grade level
  • STEM Days & Science Nights - Stations work perfectly as a rotation activity
  • Afterschool Programs - The mystery format keeps kids locked in
  • Summer Camps - A full session that fills 60-90 minutes with zero downtime
  • Scout Troops - Great for detective or STEM badges