Forensics on fire in schools. (Curriculum update: the latest developments in math, science, language arts and social studies).

We hear a lot about forensic science these days, whether it's by watching the latest crime television hit or CNN. But teaching forensics is not just a fad, says Evan Shapiro, senior vice president at Court TV. It recently made its new "Forensics in the Classroom" curriculum available for free online. "It's been a useful tool in getting kids engaged in science for a long time. It's just now that popular culture has caught up to it," he says.

At a recent regional convention organized by the National Science Teachers Association, Executive Director Gerry Wheeler says a growing interest in teaching forensics was evident. These sessions "were just filled to overflow capacity. It's part of the growing concern to try to find some relevance to the students as they learn basic science," he says. The challenge, Wheeler says, is to zero in on the science and not stay at the superficial level when introducing forensics.

And, if interest in two 2002 forensic science educational conferences is any indication, forensics will be sticking around in schools for some time. According to Jim Hurley, director of development at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, there were more than 200 inquiries and 120 middle and high school teachers attending the first conference, and the second conference had 150 teachers indicating a strong desire to attend and 81 attending. AAFS hopes to offer two annual conferences in the future. During the past year, Hurley says he has received more than 800 requests from teachers from every state about curriculum, forensic science experts and lab activities.

Suitable for all grade levels but mainly middle and high school science classes, forensics activities can mean anything from identifying a "mystery powder" to DNA analysis, Wheeler says. He recommends avoiding "gory stuff" such as OJ. Simpson's murder trial and other infamous cases, or getting parents and administrators on board before covering them.

The Court TV curriculum (www. Courttv.com/forensics_curriculum) was created through a partnership with AAFS for high school chemistry classrooms. The unit introducing footprint casting, which uses a case of a car found at the bottom of a river, has gotten the most positive feedback, says Shapiro. Teachers are encouraged to comment on the curriculum, which may be modified as ideas come in.