Previous reports have explained that crime dramas like CSI negatively affect the public's perception and expectations of the legal system, however, several children's camps around the state of Arizona have based their summer projects on the forensic activities featured in popular crime shows.
Arizona Republic spoke with Glendale local, 12 year old Karlee Preston and she said that the enjoyed herself at the Science Rocks day camp held earlier this month at Sandra Day O'Connor High School. Honeywell International, Inc. sponsored the camp.
Preston is an avid fan of CBS' CSI, and she had much fun participating in the camp's activities which emulated courtroom scenes, in which she portrayed a reporter. She said, "The crime lab was pretty cool, too, because we got to test blood."
The young girl added that whenever she watches her favorite crime show, she often explores her own crime-solving ideas as the fictional cases unfold. She adds, "It's cool how they investigate it and how they figure it out."
Preston's father, Parker, admitted that it blood and other body fluids are unusual topics for kids like his eight year old son, Dylan to talk about, however he is happy that his children are growing up interested in science.
"We live in a Discovery Channel age, so it's not like they weren't exposed to it already," Parker reasoned.
Aside from Glendale, a lot of areas in Arizona have set up the Valley-wide camp Mad Science, which teaches children a variety of scientific subjects, including forensics.
It is important that science becomes an enjoyable subject for children, especially pre-adolescent girls, according to Hannah Wiltamuth, manager of Arizona Science Center's children's program. She adds, "We're holding (the Sci Girls) camp with hopes girls will stay interested in science."
The weeklong camp led into the "CSI: Crime Scene Insects" exhibit that opened at the Science Center on Saturday.
For more resources about CSI or for the full version of the story CSI Camps Open in Arizona please review http://www.buddytv.com
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