CSI Forensic Science Camp has successful year

It was nine years ago that the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers (FOAST) learned about and later contacted a school district in Kansas that was holding a yearly forensic science camp for middle and high school students.

A comprehensive camp of this nature highlights the fields of biology, anthropology, physics, genetics, chemistry and other facets of science that encompass the world of crime scene investigations. From cold-case files to modern-day crimes and how to solve them, it was FOAST’s intent to get Alaska students motivated to learn about, and maybe even pursue, careers in such an important field.

After conferring with Kansas school administrators, the FOAST board of directors decided it was time to hold a similar camp in Alaska. They brought an expert up from the Kansas program to train teachers in Anchorage on how to administer an Alaska forensic science camp. At the time, there were no high schools in the Valley or municipality of Anchorage that held such an innovative and science-related camp for kids.

Thanks to the leadership and vision of FOAST in concert with dedicated teachers, engaged parents, private and legislative sponsors and, last but not least, kids who love science (and most do if you really talk to them about how fascinating it can be), the CSI Alaska Forensic Science Camp just completed its ninth successful year on Friday.

If you haven’t heard of the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers, it was formed back in the late 1960s as a conduit and advocacy to adopt a retirement system for Alaska State Troopers. After the collective bargaining system was adopted in 1972, FOAST segued into a nonprofit organization that supports law enforcement education, history and youth programs.

Retired and active Alaska State Troopers, and even some Anchorage Police Department personnel, participate in the board of director structure. They oversee the Alaska Law Enforcement Museum that is on 5thAvenue in downtown Anchorage and has a huge and comprehensive display of law enforcement history in Alaska, including territorial days and badge collections from the state and out. It’s a favorite for students and also retired law enforcement from Alaska and abroad. And the best part — it’s free!

Safety Bear is part of FOAST. So are the Safety Bear coloring books that were generously paid for by Matanuska Electric Association and distributed by troopers and at Department of Public Safety detachments.

As for the 2013 Alaska CSI Forensic Science Camp that just finished its two-week program at Grace Christian School — thanks in large part this year to the Mat-Su Borough School District’s scholarship support — the camp had nearly 60 students. There is one week for high school students and one week for sixth- to eighth-graders in middle school. Rural and road system transportation scholarships also are available for Alaska students outside the Mat-Su Borough and municipality.

The first corporate contributor at the genesis of the program was ConocoPhilips, and between thoughtful private donations and the advocacy of then representative and now Sen. Lesil McGuire, private and state government funding continues with great success.

The CSI camp covers drug analysis, fingerprints, fire science and arson, ballistics and firearms, blood typing and stains, DNA, trace evidence, document analysis, crime scene analysis, a state crime lab visit, forensic art and forensic pathology.

Administrators soon discovered as the program evolved that kids really do enjoy science, particularly with crime and law enforcement themes. They also have noticed that the number of students favoring a career in public safety and law enforcement in the technical and science fields vs. being a law enforcement officer has escalated because of the camp exposure. One surprising fact learned is that the majority of science campers had no familiarity with gun safety and handling, so part of the camp is a tour of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game range with some basic training of gun safety and use.

Probably the best part of FOAST’s CSI Alaska Forensic Science Camp is that it has spurred other forensic science programs. The Anchorage School District went from no programs nine years ago to one in every high school. The Mat-Su Borough School District has also been contouring a successful program in its schools with lots of interest.

Don’t forget the FOAST CSI-Alaska Forensic Science Camp for your kids next year! They may just find a career they love that benefits all of us.

Tom Anderson is a former state representative and the managing partner at Optima Public Relations. He is the host of KOAN’s FOX News Talk 95.5 FM and 1020 AM.