One of the most important roles of educators is to prepare their students for the world that awaits them beyond school while allowing them to explore their interests and passions. One science teacher at Waynesburg Central Greene School District has gone above and beyond in this task by creating a Forensics course that offers lessons to excite anyone with an interest in the science field.
Alicia Plisko graduated Waynesburg University with an undergraduate degree in Forensics and got to further learn the craft through an internship under Dr. Cyril Wecht at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. She then went on to join the teaching staff of Central Greene in 2008 where she has taught a wide range of science subjects for the last fifteen years. Plisko has taught sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade science courses in Ecology, Earth and Space, Forensics, Physical Science, and Environmental Sustainability. During the 2009-2010 school year, she created and implemented the Forensics class to cover a range of topics relating specifically to the investigative field.
“I ultimately decided not to get into the criminal justice field but still wanted to be able to utilize my degree in some way,” says Plisko. “I love the concepts and the way that science is applied to help solve crime, so I created a version of that for my students here at Central Greene.”
The goal of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of Forensics that can be applied in real-life situations. It develops their observational skills and analytical thinking as well as provides hands-on learning with activities and lab experiments to encourage students to really understand and engage with concepts. In the class, students get to study the history of forensics, crime scene processing, DNA, fingerprinting, serology, pathology, hair and fiber evidence, blood spatter analysis, and criminal profiling. Forensics combines all types of sciences taught at Central Greene and applies them to the criminal justice system.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to apply science in real-life situations and to be able to see how specialized this career field actually is,” adds Plisko. “This class also offers a non-traditional way to experience three various kinds of science and combine those with real-life scenarios.”
Gifted and talented students have the opportunity to participate at a Mock Crime Scene as well, getting to apply their knowledge and skills from the course. Additionally, Plisko collaborates with Waynesburg University and their Criminal Justice and Forensics Departments to provide her students with programs that they can take advantage of if they choose to pursue the field post-graduation. She also aims to keep the class relevant by incorporating a weekly “Current Events” discussion centered around various crime-related news and situations occurring around the country.
“I think this really helps to open their eyes to what the real world is like and helps them to be observant, aware and more independent when they leave high school,” Plisko says. “My students work very hard and strive for excellence every day. I absolutely love teaching this class and seeing the lasting impact it has had on our younger generations.”
Plisko hopes to see interest in the class grow as she aims for her students to take away as many skills as possible. She has seen students go on to work in criminal justice so she knows her work really has left a lasting impact on young lives.
