Students can explore four floors of exhibits focused on the culture and history of mobs, crime and law enforcement at The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement.
Located in Las Vegas, the museum has been named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” one of National Geographic’s “Top 10 Things to do in Las Vegas,” and USA Today’s “Best Museum in Nevada” — as well as a number of other accolades since its opening in 2012.
“Museum programs are hands-on, experiential and inquiry-based,” said Claire White, educational programs manager at the museum. “Whether it’s stepping into the phone booth that Al Capone had in his Chicago saloon or determining what fingerprint pattern type a student has, the museum offers unparalleled experiences.”
One of the top activities for students at The Mob Museum is The Crime Lab experience. This STEM-focused exhibit allows students to understand the science behind forensics like fingerprinting, death investigation, DNA analysis, crime scene investigation and firearm examination.
“Analyze fingerprints, participate in a digital autopsy and learn how to separate DNA using gel electrophoresis,” White said.
In addition to the programs, students can explore a plethora of exhibits to hear stories and see one-of-a-kind artifacts while roaming the museum. Walk through the first floor to view the “Organized Crime Today” exhibit and the Global Networks Touch Wall — an interactive wall that mixes video, images, maps and more to highlight the story of organized crime around the world.
On the third floor, students will see the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Wall, a portion of the actual brick wall where seven men were lined up against and shot in 1929.
This fall, the museum is offering its award-winning classroom outreach program, Investigating History, as virtual presentations. “Available on Zoom or Google Meet, museum educators will be available to present material related to Prohibition, forensic science and Las Vegas history to students across the United States,” White said. “Presentations are 50 minutes and include a slideshow as well as historical objects or hands-on forensic activities that students can re-create with common classroom or household materials.”
For more information call 702-229-2734 or go to themobmuseum.org.
