Become a Forensic Scientist or Digital Game Designer for a Day

It’s crime solving time these school holidays at Crime Scene MOTAT! Children can get hands-on as they explore the exciting world of forensic science.

A fictional crime has been committed at the Museum and it’s up to visitors to solve it. By investigating the crime scene and gathering the evidence correctly, they’ll soon discover that there’s more to forensic science than is seen on TV.

Once the evidence samples are found, it’s off to the lab for analysis. Here the investigator becomes the scientist as they learn the techniques and technologies used by real-life forensic specialists. Interactive activities include creating a shoe print, analysing fibre particles under a microscope and fingerprint identification.

MOTAT’s Experience Programme Manager Brent Hemi explains that while this holiday experience offers interactive fun, it is still based on real-life science. It was with this in mind that the MOTAT Experience Team consulted with forensic experts, Environment Science and Research (ESR) to get their input into the activities.

“We also want to highlight to visitors the examples of New Zealand innovation in this field,” said Mr Hemi. “Many people don’t even realise that it was a Kiwi, Guy Horrocks, who invented the ‘blood spatter’ analysis technology used by forensic scientists on crime scenes around the world today.”

Although younger children are welcome to participate, the holiday experience is ideal for children seven and over, especially if they are keen on science and forensics. They will be inspired by the many opportunities in this field while learning more about the local organisations and scientists involved.

Game On – Digital Game Design Workshops:
If gaming is your child’s passion and digital game design their dream, then MOTAT has the perfect holiday workshop planned for them – Game On! Using a specific app, kids will have great fun designing and learning how to build their very own digital game.

Educators will guide them to test and tweak their creation and then bring it to life on-screen. Game On workshops are suitable for children over eight years old and bookings are essential through the MOTAT website.

ENDS

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