Trigonometry, Forensic Science Combine In STEAM Activity At EPCHS

EVERGREEN PARK, IL - As teachers across all subject areas at Evergreen Park Community High School continue to find ways to collaborate, a recent STEAM activity combining the school's math and science wings took an interesting approach.

Students in the Forensic Science class taught by Anna Papasideris and the Precalculus class taught by Brian English used blood spatter analysis and angles to learn about topics in both disciplines.

English said Papasideris approached him about the idea to see if there would be any overlap with content in their classes.

"We found the trigonometry present in blood spatter analysis would allow our classes to merge," English said. "Students were able to see the different types of blood spatter patterns and then analyze the pattern (like a crime scene technician would) to determine the angle of impact of the injury and the height of the person/object that was struck."

"It allowed them to see how basic right triangle trigonometry is used outside of the classroom."

Papasideris said the collaboration allowed students to see "a real life example of how trigonometry is used to help solve crimes where blood spatter evidence is present."

Scroll above the article for more photos from the project!