The Classroom Collective

There’s a reason students walk out of Brianna Cassel’s classes still talking about what happened that day.

Her classroom feels less like a traditional science class and more like stepping into a real investigation. From hands-on labs and crime scene analysis to toxicology and ballistics, students are constantly learning through experience instead of simply reading from a textbook.

One of the first things that surprises students is just how interactive her classes are. Labs and activities happen almost every week, giving students the opportunity to test, examine, analyze, and problem-solve in ways that make science unforgettable. Students quickly learn how important documentation is to solving a case, how blood typing works, and the very real damage drugs and alcohol can do to the body.

And then there are the topics students never expect to love.

Decomposition. Blood spatter. Toxicology. Capstone projects.

What sounds intimidating at first quickly becomes fascinating under Mrs. Cassel’s teaching. She has a way of making students curious, engaged, and eager to figure out what happens next.

Some of the moments students remember most include working with OSBI fingerprint experts, wearing drunk goggles while attempting field sobriety tests, studying the stages of decomposition, and calculating the trajectory of a bullet during ballistics lessons. These aren’t just lessons students memorize for a test—they’re experiences students genuinely remember.

Next year, Mrs. Cassel will also be teaching Astronomy, bringing the same hands-on, engaging approach into the study of space. Students can expect interactive activities, meaningful discussions, and opportunities to explore the incredible complexity and beauty of the universe.

And yes—there are still spots available in Astronomy.

Mrs. Cassel’s classes challenge students to think critically, ask questions, and fully engage with the world around them. It’s the kind of classroom where curiosity grows quickly and learning feels exciting from the moment students walk through the door.