NAMPA, Idaho — Editor's note: This content is sponsored by CapEd Credit Union.
Students inside a science classroom learn about Earth, plants and even space, but what about forensic testing? This week's Innovative Educator partnered with Idaho State Police and Saint Alphonsus to take science to the next level for Nampa students.
"I try to use real life experiences," Greg Kiester said. "Forensics, like the blood typing is, they can pull their blood type to see what blood type they are, either A, B, AB, or O."
It's usually used in crime scenes. Kiester said "they can take that further on down and get the DNA out of the blood type," which is what he's teaching his students at Columbia High School.
"All the students were able to do that. There was a couple of them in each class that opted not to poke themselves and get their blood type," Kiester said.
The students also use unique items, like bananas.
"We're pulling DNA out of bananas, and they're actually seeing the DNA strands in bananas," Kiester said.
This lesson has a bigger purpose – Kiester partnered with Idaho State Police to help teach the course.
"They are short in filling other positions when it comes to forensics," Kiester said. "They want us to help get these kids ready to work in the field here in the state of Idaho, for example."
Saint Alphonsus also played a role in making this course successful.
"They donated all the blood typing material for us so that kids can get their blood type," Kiester said. "We wouldn't have that resource if we hadn't tapped into the community."
It's become a class more Columbia High School students want to take.
"Kids are taking that class, because it's something they have an interest in," Kiester said. "Where you know, some of your core classes, students have to take those. They're not as excited, but you can also make those exciting, too."
Kiester is certainly achieving his main goal as a teach, which is to "get the kids interested, get them involved – interactive." He encourages teachers to use community resources and add more hands-on learning for any subject.
Educators, for information on submitting an application for a classroom grant through the Idaho CapEd Foundation, visit www.capedfoundation.org. If you would like to nominate an Innovative Educator, send us an email to innovativeeducator@ktvb.com.
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