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Forensic Science Students at Bastrop High School Conduct Hands-On Arson Investigation Lesson
Forensic Science students at Bastrop High School took their learning to the next level with a hands-on Arson unit. On Friday, January 31, students set fire to miniature structures they built, observing and documenting the behavior of fire.
The project, designed to help students understand fire patterns and arson investigation techniques, began with students developing a fictional storyline that explained the reason behind the fire. Teams then constructed model structures using craft supplies. Once the structures were set ablaze, students recorded their observations, noting factors such as weather conditions, ignition difficulty, smoke color, and material burn rates. They also captured photos and videos of the fire to analyze afterwards.
“Hands-on experiments like this keep our students engaged and excited about learning,” said Sean Hensley, Bastrop High School Forensic Science Instructor. “They’re not just memorizing facts, they’re experiencing science in action.”
This Forensic Science class is one of Bastrop ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. Bastrop ISD offers 15 diverse Programs of Study across both high schools, providing students the opportunity to explore areas of career interests through course content, work-based learning experiences, industry-based certification completion and student organizations. These experiences prepare students to pursue opportunities for high wage, high skill and in-demand careers either after graduation or after pursuing post secondary education.
Learn more about our Career and Technical Education programs at www.bisdtx.org/CTE.