Thurston Middle School students in the forensic/mock trial club are becoming intrigued by STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art/design and mathematics – as a result of club opportunities, says a district statement.
Eighth-grade student Malin Glade discovered an interest in art also meshes with forensic investigations. “My favorite experiences have been digging up skulls and weapons as evidence, analyzing and collecting fingerprints, participating in a mock trial to learn about the judicial system and making a cast of my hand as the evidence for the mock trial on King Richard III,” the student said.
Thurston history teacher Michelle Martinez leads the afterschool club, inviting guest lecturers to share their expertise, ultimately inspiring students to think about their future careers.
Earlier, the club earned a $5,000 grant for a project on King Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth. Martinez invited artist and sculptor Joshua Gagliardi to lead a casting demonstration to explain a facial reconstruction project.
The casts made will be used to identity the victim in the mock trial of King Richard III on May 27.
