During the CSI Equine Mystery Summer Academy, that's just what 25 local ninth- , 10th- and 11th-grade students had the opportunity to do.

The weeklong academy, held June 11-15 at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow, allowed students to apply skills they learned during the week to solve a mock crime — tracking down a stolen horse and nabbing the thief.

Professors from the university guide the students through the week, teaching them specifics from their respective disciplines.

Biology professor Erik Terdal brought his horses to the campus one day, teaching students how horses move and about the biology of horses.

He also brought in a local veterinarian who talked to the students about horses and becoming a veterinarian.

The program has many goals, one of which is to show what it's like to be in a college setting.

"It gets the participants thinking about college," Terdal said.

The activities were true to a university setting, said Mike Wilds, professor of criminal justice, legal studies and homeland security.

"They're doing what our classes do on a regular basis," Wilds said.

Martha Parrott, a mathematics professor, hopes the academy does something else for the students.

"I hope to energize these students to explore science and math," Parrott said.

Parrott taught the students about probability, blending science and forensics to help the students work toward solving the crime.

Parrott believes the academy improves students' problem- solving skills.

"To help understand this scene investigation in its true form is an example of problem solving," Parrott said.

Students also learned about DNA analysis from biologist Kathi McDowell.

Lessons included lab techniques, animal morphology, trial procedures, crime-scene photography, and how to work a crime scene, including collecting fingerprints and evidence, taking crime-scene photography, investigating tracks and more.

At the end of the week, students took part in a mock trial.

Parrott said sometimes the trial takes an hour, other times more than that.

Students wanted to participate in the academy for different reasons.

"It sounded very interesting," Meghan Wilcox said, as she helped classmate Devora Dickerson make an imprint of a tire track.

Dickerson said she wants to become a forensic scientist. Desiree Thompson learned about the program through her mom and enjoyed the weeklong experience, which allowed her to "be with new people and see a different point of view," Thompson said.

During the crime scene investigation, Thompson said her role was to organize the investigation much like what a police official would do.

This is the sixth year for the program, which is funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The academy is free for the students to attend, Wilds said.