This year, students at LFHS have the opportunity to take a new criminology class that focuses on building critical thinking skills and getting hands-on experience in data collection, observation, analysis, and problem-solving. The course also aims to equip students with essential skills that are not only relevant to criminal justice but are also valuable in various real-world contexts.
The course was introduced by science teacher Mrs. Molly Grzesik, inspired by the class when she taught at Deerfield High School. With the help of her colleagues, Mrs. Kopecky and Mrs. Kuzera, they developed a course that gave students the opportunity to be forensic scientists and crime scene investigators.
The class offers many unique, hands-on experiences that facilitate practical application. While many classes at our school focus primarily on theory, this new course allows students to apply their classroom learning to real-life situations.
From analyzing crime scene scenarios to understanding the psychology behind criminal behavior, the curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in criminology.
“In class, we learned about the types of fingerprints and then spent the next few days learning how to collect fingerprints and studying our own minutiae,” said Mrs. Grzesik. “The students loved it and will never look at their hands the same way.”
Student engagement has been high; going into its first year, the class was nearly full and impossible to switch into. The interactive nature of the course keeps students actively involved, allowing them to step into the shoes of detectives.
“Criminology is a unique class that feels special to LFHS. I love how it challenges us to look deeper into human behavior and ask the tough questions about justice and fairness,” said student Charlie Graham.
Additionally, the course encourages collaboration among students. Projects allow them to work together to solve cases, fostering teamwork and communication skills. This collaborative approach mirrors real-life investigative work, where the outcomes depend on the ability to work effectively with others.
The course is yet to be fully completed and is a work in progress, but Mrs. Grzesik is excited for the future of the class and wants to inspire as many students as possible.
