Licking Heights High School students explore forensic science with Amgen

Students at Licking Heights High School are gaining hands-on experience in forensic science thanks to the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE). Supported by the Amgen Foundation, the initiative provides schools with free biotechnology curricula, lab equipment, and educational resources designed to introduce students to advanced scientific experiments usually performed in professional research labs.

In central Ohio, Columbus State Community College hosts the ABE program. The Central Ohio site is directed by Naava Schottenstein, a professor in the colleges Biological and Physical Sciences Department. Drew Spacht, biosciences program manager, coordinates the sites and provides technical support.

At Licking Heights, the ABE curriculum is integrated into the schools forensic science elective, taught by biology teacher Rachel Blais. The course is open to any student who has completed biology. Recently, the high school welcomed members of the Amgen Foundations Ohio team and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson and State Rep. Thad Claggett, to observe students in action during a forensic lab session powered by the ABE program.

This collaboration between the Amgen Foundation and Licking Heights gives students the opportunity to work with the same tools used in professional laboratories, said Balderson. The skills these students gain will help shape the next generation of scientists, researchers, and innovators.

During the visit, students conducted a biotechnology experiment titled Who Ate All the Peanut Butter? The exercise involved using gel electrophoresis, a DNA analysis technique, to determine which family dog had eaten a jar of peanut butter. Gel electrophoresis allows scientists to separate DNA fragments by size, enabling comparisons between genetic samples. In the lab, students analyzed DNA from the suspect dogs to identify a match with evidence left at the scene.

The most rewarding part of teaching this course is showing students how forensic science connects to other sciences and even to history, said Blais. Its exciting to watch them compare real-life processes to what they see on TV and recognize the difference between fact and fiction.

Students reported that the course has expanded their scientific interests and career ideas. Junior Damien Caldwell explained, I was drawn to this class because Ive always been fascinated by crime investigation. My dad works in 911 operations, so I wanted to see what really happens at a crime scene. This class gives me a head start toward a law enforcement career.

Senior Angelee Straits said her interest in true crime content inspired her to enroll. I enjoyed learning about the detailed processes behind the scenes that you dont see in TV shows, she said. The class teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills Ill use in college and beyond.

During the lab session, visiting legislators witnessed how programs like ABE make science engaging, practical, and connected to potential careers. Experiential learning like this shows students that science is not just theoreticalits something you can actively do, Blais noted. They gain real-world skills that will benefit them in college and any profession they choose.

Information provided by Licking Heights Local Schools. This story was reported by Kelly Tucker with support from artificial intelligence, under full journalistic oversight. Originally published in the Newark Advocate.

Author: Sophia Brooks