DENVER – Learn how agents discover evidence at crime scenes, conduct investigations and make communities safe. Do those things and more during two Federal Bureau of Investigation Teen Academies in Denver on June 13 and Aug. 3. Deadline to apply is May 7.
Youth between the ages of 15-18 who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors when school starts in the fall of 2018 can apply for one of the two academies. Those who will be freshmen in fall 2018 or seniors who will graduate this spring are not eligible.
Each academy is free (excluding lunch) and runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the FBI Denver Division, located at 8000 E. 36th Ave., Denver, CO 80238.
The FBI Teen Academy provides an opportunity for high school students to visit the field office and go behind the scenes of the FBI. Upon completion of Teen Academy, high school students will foster a greater understanding of the FBI’s mission and how it serves citizens.
Students will receive classroom training and be exposed to programs such as hazmat, evidence recovery, fingerprinting, white collar crimes, terrorism, undercover operations, cyber-security, intelligence gathering, SWAT and more. They’ll learn from top experts in the FBI Denver Division.
Applicants must:
Be between 15-18 years old and headed into their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school. Fall 2018 freshmen or seniors about to graduate are not eligible to apply.
Be a resident of Colorado or Wyoming.
Submit an application, one photo of the applicant and an essay no longer than one page, single-spaced.
Be available to attend one of the academies (either on June 13 or Aug. 3) for the entire day, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Be new; students may not apply if they have attended any other FBI Teen Academy in the past.
The application process closes at midnight May 7. Students who are selected will be notified in mid-May by email.
Applications can be downloaded at https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/denver/community-outreach. Email the completed application to DN_FBITeenAcademy@FBI.gov or snail-mail it to: Deborah Sherman, FBI Public Affairs, 8000 E. 36th Ave., Denver, CO 80238. Email is preferred.
Frequently asked questions:
Q. Is the program only for high school students?
A. Yes, the program has been designed for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to ensure they have at least one year remaining in their academic career at their high school. This enables students to share the information they have learned and serve as peer mentors, when appropriate.
Q. Is the essay important?
A. Yes, the essay is important as it is the first element of the application package that is reviewed. The essay offers the selection panel insight into the student’s expectations, reasons for attending, and how the student intends to use the information to benefit his or her school and community.
Q. Is a particular GPA required?
A. GPA is just one factor considered in the application process. The selection panel will also look closely at your essay and community involvement.
Q. Do I need to be interested in law enforcement to attend the academy?
A. No, but you should have an interest in learning about the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Q. What can I expect?
A. The FBI Teen Academy is not an internship, but rather a full-day experience inside the FBI. You’ll be exposed to case studies from adjudicated cases, and to a number of FBI assets and resources. The day covers a wide variety of topics to enhance student awareness of issues such as the FBI’s Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Intelligence, Cybercrime programs and much more.
