Fingerprints and Fibers: Behind the Scenes with Forensic Scientist Kelly Knight [ep.3]
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Episode Summary
All right, my Questies, we’re back for another STEM Quest! Now, I have a question for you. Have you ever eaten a yummy chocolate chip cookie and got melted chocolate all over your fingers? What happens when you touch something with your chocolate covered fingers? Your fingerprints get all over whatever you touch! Our fingerprints are so special because no one else in the world has them.
On today’s STEM quest, we will be taken into the world of fingerprints, hair samples, and DNA and how they are used to help solve crimes with forensic scientist Kelly Knight. We will get to learn all about the cool things Kelly gets to do as a forensic DNA scientist and why she decided she wanted to study fingerprints and DNA for a living. This episode is full of fun facts that I know Questies like you will love! Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about the world of forensic science.
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- a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
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And more!
Get the listening comprehension guides and teaching slides for this episode as a set HERE or get them inside of the STEM Career Quest club HERE
Meet Kelly Knight:
Kelly Knight is an associate professor with the George Mason University Forensic Science Program and a STEM Accelerator. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic DNA and forensic chemistry and is also the principal investigator of the forensic DNA laboratory. As a STEM Accelerator, she guides and mentors undergraduate students in the Forensic Science Program and coordinates K-12 STEM outreach including the Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM summer programs for middle and high school girls.
Prof. Knight obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry from The George Washington University in 2006 and her Masters of Forensic Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Science Education Research program.
Her career in forensics began in 2005 as a DNA technician for the Bode Technology DNA laboratory. She then worked in the Dawson Cruz forensic biology laboratory as a research associate and laboratory manager while completing her studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating from VCU, Professor Knight worked for years as a forensic DNA analyst with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division in the forensic biology technical unit. As a part of the technical unit, she processed casework, performed research and validation, trained other forensic biologists, and was involved in quality assurance and quality control.
Having qualified as an expert in both forensic serology and forensic DNA analysis, Prof. Knight has testified in several court trials involving crimes such as homicides and sexual assaults. At some point between testifying in court and leading tours as the laboratory tour coordinator, Prof. Knight discovered her love for teaching. She realized how passionate she was about sharing the science she loved with others. This passion inspired her to begin her career as an adjunct professor while still working for the Maryland State Police.
Prof. Knight enjoys staying involved in the forensic science community and has remained active in professional organizations since beginning her education in forensic science. She has served as the biology section chair for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists twice and was promoted to the rank of Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2020.
Connect with Kelly Knight:
- Website
- Instagram: @kellythescientist
See a Forensic Scientist in Action:
More About your host, Naomi Meredith
Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there.
She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.
She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!
Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:
- Check out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.com
- Listen to her podcast for teachers: The Elementary STEM Coach
- Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_
- Watch this episode on her YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith
More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast
Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.
Both are ok!
Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!
We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.
Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.