Solving Mysteries and Building Futures: The Madeira School's Forensics Program

When junior Eliana Vakis ‘27 first toured The Madeira School, she walked past a classroom buzzing with activity—students analyzing evidence, discussing crime scenes, and piecing together clues. "I knew it was something I would be interested in doing," she recalls. That glimpse into Madeira's Forensics class exemplifies what makes our science curriculum exceptional: hands-on, intellectually engaging coursework that transforms curiosity into expertise.

For nearly two decades, Madeira has offered one of the most distinctive STEAM courses in secondary education—a comprehensive Forensics program that goes far beyond what students see on television. In an era where single-sex education continues to prove its value in empowering young women in science fields, Madeira's Forensics class stands as a testament to what happens when rigorous academic standards meet experiential learning.

A Legacy of Scientific Investigation

Madeira's Forensics program launched more than 18 years ago, tapping into a cultural fascination with crime-solving that has only intensified over time. Dr. Stacey Boyette, who has been teaching the course since the 2010-2011 academic year, notes the connection between popular media and student interest: "The original CSI TV show first aired in 2000, then NCIS in 2003, and many similar shows followed. The public and our students have been captivated by crime shows and true crimes ever since."

But while television may spark initial curiosity, what students discover in Madeira's Forensics classroom is far more nuanced and challenging than anything portrayed on screen. Allison Cadena ‘27 shares this realization: "I learned that forensics is a lot more complicated than it is often portrayed in TV shows and movies, which made me realize that while many people think they know how forensic science works, it's actually pretty different!"

That real science demands more critical thinking, precision, and patience than its entertainment counterpart is exactly the kind of intellectual growth that defines a Madeira education.

Eliana Vakis ‘27; Allison Cadena ‘27

Two Distinct Pathways in Forensic Science

Originally offered as a semester-long course, the Forensics program evolved alongside Madeira's innovative Modular schedule. Today, students can choose between two independent, one-Mod courses that allow for deeper exploration of specific topics:

Forensics: Physical Evidence examines the tangible traces left behind at crime scenes, covering fingerprint patterns and analysis, footwear and tire prints and impressions, ballistics evidence, glass density and refractive index, fiber burn and dye tests, and handwriting analysis.

Forensics: Biological Evidence delves into the biological components of criminal investigation, including hair microscopy, blood spatter analysis, DNA profiling and gel electrophoresis, and gel electrophoresis, as well as the analysis of bones (specifically, how to determine sex, age, and race from skeletal remains).

Both courses ground students in foundational concepts like crime scene tools and techniques, types of witnesses and evidence, and the rules for admissibility of evidence in court. This comprehensive curriculum ensures that whether a student gravitates toward chemistry, biology, or physics, they'll find relevant applications in forensic science.

Vakis, who took the Physical Evidence course, describes the breadth of learning, "We learned about prints and tracks, such as tire tracks, footprints, and fingerprints. We also learned about glass fracture patterns, handwriting, different fabrics, lineups, and ballistics. Finally, we were taught core principles of how to search for evidence at a crime scene."

Experiential Learning at Its Finest

At Madeira, we believe that true understanding comes from doing. Our Forensics courses embody this philosophy through laboratory work that transforms students from passive learners into active investigators.

The highlight of both courses is undoubtedly the mock crime scene investigation. Dr. Boyette stages elaborate fake crime scenes throughout campus, and students must employ everything they've learned to search for, collect, and analyze evidence. Both Vakis and Cadena independently cited this lab as their favorite experience.

"The lab that stood out to me the most was one where Dr. Boyette staged fake crime scenes, and we were tasked with investigating these as forensic detectives," Vakis explained. "Not only was this lab incredibly fun and interactive, but it forced us to take everything we had learned and try to use these skills to solve a (fake) crime. This meant we all had to collaborate in searching and classifying evidence. The lab helped put into perspective how hard finding relevant evidence can be."

Cadena echoed this enthusiasm: "I loved it because it was so interactive and engaging, and I really felt like a crime scene investigator!"

This type of immersive, hands-on learning exemplifies Madeira’s approach to learning at its best. Students aren't simply memorizing facts about evidence collection; they're experiencing the challenges, frustrations, and ultimate satisfaction of scientific investigation. They're learning to think critically, work collaboratively, and persist through complex problems.

The Power of Personal Best in Action

One of the most striking examples of student engagement in the Forensics program occurred at the end of Mod 7 last school year. Dr. Boyette assigned The Deathboat, an unsolved murder mystery involving lottery winner Waverly Berg. Each group received a complete evidence file including ship manifests, interviews, fingerprints, DNA profiles, and suspect information.

With only two days before the seniors' last day of classes, the pressure was on. Yet rather than rushing through the assignment, students delved deeply into analysis. "I was astounded at how invested the students were," Dr. Boyette recalls. "Each group developed their own theory about who had murdered lottery winner Waverly Berg and a lively discussion was held on their very last day of Madeira classes. Truly impressive."

This anecdote perfectly illustrates Miss Madeira's philosophy of striving to reach one's personal best. These seniors, at the very end of their high school careers, chose to invest fully in solving a complex problem because the work itself was meaningful and intellectually rewarding. They weren't motivated by grades or external pressure; they were driven by genuine curiosity and the satisfaction of applying their skills to a challenging puzzle.

Why Forensics Matters for College Preparation and Career Prospects

While the Forensics program is undeniably engaging, its value extends far beyond entertainment. The skills students develop in this course translate directly to college preparation and future career prospects across multiple fields.

Critical Thinking and Analysis: Forensic investigation requires students to examine evidence objectively, form hypotheses, test theories, and revise their thinking based on new information. These are the exact skills that college professors and employers consistently identify as essential for success.

Scientific Literacy: Vakis notes an important lesson from the course: "We also talked a lot about the influence that crime shows have had on criminal trials, and this helped me understand how forensics is glorified on TV, its limitations, and that forensic evidence can have errors and should not be solely relied on during a trial." Understanding the limitations and appropriate applications of scientific evidence is crucial in an era of misinformation and scientific skepticism.

Laboratory Skills: Students gain hands-on experience with microscopy, chemical testing, pattern analysis, and other laboratory techniques that provide a strong foundation for college-level science courses.

Attention to Detail: Success in forensics demands meticulous observation and documentation—skills that serve students well in any academic or professional pursuit.

Collaborative Problem-Solving: The mock crime scene investigations require students to work in teams, delegate responsibilities, communicate findings, and integrate multiple types of evidence into coherent conclusions.

Vakis acknowledges that while she may not pursue forensics professionally, "I also learned many useful skills in the class (such as what the numbers on car wheels mean) that can be applied to other areas of my life." Meanwhile, Cadena found the experience genuinely sparked career interest: "Taking forensics and listening to visiting detectives share their stories definitely made me more interested in looking further into forensics in the future!"

The Advantage of Single-Sex STEAM Education

The Madeira School's Forensics program also highlights the unique advantages of science education at a girls' school. Research consistently demonstrates that young women in single-sex educational environments show increased confidence in STEM fields, greater willingness to take risks in learning, and higher rates of pursuing science careers. According to a survey conducted by the Goodman Research Group, “Girls’ school graduates are 6 times more likely to consider majoring in math, science, and technology compared to girls who attended coeducational schools.”

In a coeducational classroom, girls may hesitate to speak up, take leadership roles in lab work, or pursue advanced science courses. At Madeira, every leadership position in the lab belongs to a young woman. Every hypothesis proposed comes from a female student. Every successful analysis reinforces the message that women belong in scientific fields.

The enthusiastic testimonials from Vakis and Cadena reflect this confidence. They don't describe themselves as tentative participants. They're engaged investigators who felt empowered to fully immerse themselves in the work. Cadena "really felt like a crime scene investigator;" not someone playing at science, but someone genuinely practicing it. Their anecdotes are supported by research conducted in the field. In her study “Women Graduates of Single-Sex and Coeducational High Schools: Differences in their Characteristics and the Transition to College,” Dr. Linda Sax of UCLA found that at the start of university, girls’ school graduates in the U.S. rate their confidence in their math skill abilities 10% higher than do their coeducated peers.

This confidence is particularly crucial in forensic science, a field that has historically been male-dominated but increasingly recognizes the need for diverse perspectives. By providing young women with authentic scientific experiences in a supportive environment, Madeira prepares them to enter and excel in any STEAM field they choose.

Building on Curiosity, Preparing for the Future

What makes Madeira's Forensics program truly special isn't just the curriculum—it's how the course embodies the School's broader educational philosophy. Intellectual curiosity drives every investigation. Experiential learning transforms abstract concepts into tangible skills. The emphasis on personal best encourages students to push themselves beyond minimum requirements.

Vakis came to the class with a prior interest in true crime. Cadena was drawn by friends' recommendations and her love for the television program Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Both left with something far more valuable than entertainment: they gained scientific literacy, analytical skills, and confidence in their ability to tackle complex problems.

For current students considering the course, the message is clear: Forensics offers an opportunity to engage with real science in an exciting, relevant context. The hands-on investigations, collaborative problem-solving, and the challenge of applying multiple analytical techniques to complex scenarios provide learning experiences you'll carry far beyond Madeira.

For prospective students and families exploring what makes The Madeira School distinctive, the Forensics program exemplifies our approach to education. We don't simply teach content—we create experiences that transform how students think about themselves as learners and as future scientists, professionals, and citizens.

In a world that increasingly demands scientific literacy, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate complex information, the skills developed in Forensics class matter tremendously. Whether students ultimately pursue careers in forensic science, law, medicine, research, or entirely different fields, they leave this course with strengthened analytical abilities and deepened confidence in their capacity to solve problems.

The Science of Possibility

After nearly two decades at Madeira, the Forensics program continues to captivate students because it answers a fundamental question: "How do we know what we know?" In solving fictional crimes, students learn real methods for pursuing truth—methods that apply far beyond the crime scene.

They learn that evidence must be carefully collected and preserved, that assumptions must be tested against data, that multiple perspectives can lead to better conclusions, and that even experts make mistakes, which is why skepticism and verification matter.

These lessons resonate well beyond the science classroom. They prepare students for college courses that demand analytical rigor. They prepare them for careers that require evidence-based decision-making.

Most importantly, the Forensics program demonstrates what happens when a school trusts young women with challenging, meaningful work. They rise to the occasion. They invest deeply. They collaborate effectively. They discover capabilities they didn't know they possessed.

That's the real mystery Madeira's Forensics program solves year after year: not whodunit, but what these remarkable students can accomplish when given the opportunity, support, and high expectations they deserve. The answer, as Dr. Boyette witnessed in that final class discussion about The Deathboat, is “truly impressive.”