Unit Plan
Intel

Forensics: Get a Clue

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toolmarks Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils examine the scientific method and lab procedures. They solve problems using experimentation, observation, and the scientific method.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measurable You!

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Conduct guided experiments and discussions while collecting anthropometric measurements. Your class will explore impact of experimental errors in a scientific system, and explain their observations/findings in writing. An introduction to...
Lesson Plan
Olomana School

Mixtures and Solutions: Paper Chromatography Experiment

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Why does some ink bleed through paper, and other ink doesn't? Practice some paper chromatography to separate the colors from a pen with an interactive experiment for middle and high schoolers. Learners use a variety of solutions to track...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Fingerprints: No Two the Same

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore scientific observations by analyzing a group of data. In this fingerprint identification lesson, 6th graders identify the reasoning behind fingerprinting and create their own ink fingerprints. Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science and the Scientific Process

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the characteristics of different soil samples. In this physical science lesson, students play the role of forensics solving a crime by matching soil from the suspect's shoes. They formulate a conclusion after testing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forensic Files: A DNA Dilemma

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Seventh-graders come in to science class to find a file on their desks detailing a crime to be solved! As a demonstration, you simulate the restriction of DNA samples and separate them by electrophoresis. From the gel, learners can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Fingerprinting

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils discuss methods used by forensic scientists and the basics of DNA and how it can be used to identify an individual after reading an article from The New York Times.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing As Criminal Evidence

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research 2 famous forgery cases. In this forensics instructional activity, students are introduced to the methods of handwriting and paper analysis. They then use the Internet to study the cases of the Lindbergh baby and Howard...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Handwritten Personality

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners watch an episode of "Frontiers" and discover the scientific basis for handwriting analysis. In the video, they discover how size, shape, and slant of handwriting suggest personality traits. After a discussion, students offer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Took Jerell's iPod?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate various substances to determine the perpetrator of a crime. In this biology lesson, students test for the presence of organic compounds in various samples. They identify an unknown substance based on its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coat Caper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine pollen and fibers taken from a garment. They analyze pollen from new hybrids and compare it to the samples from the garment then make individual conclusions concerning the specific historical authenticity of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biology: Howler Monkeys Tell All

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine a PBS special about howler monkeys as an introduction to scientific forensic investigative methods. In groups, they conduct a host of experiments containing clues which point to discovery. By challenging assumptions,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) with Powdery Mildew Fungi

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore a specific method of identifying fungi, using a written key and an illustrated key. Powdery mildew fungi can be identified to genus by the morphology (appearance) of the sexual stage (cleistothecia).
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blood Business

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify the different kinds of blood. In this biology lesson, students investigate the antigens, agglutinins and Rh factor using their own blood. They use Punnett squares to predict blood type of offspring.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Criminalistics - A New Look at Crime

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine the world of forensic science, focusing on fingerprint analysis. In the lesson, they implement a method by which fingerprints of class members are categorized and identified. Elementary students study classification...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fingerprinting

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students list and describe the three types of fingerprint patterns. They list and describe three layers of fingerprints that can be made. They explain why we leave fingerprints.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Fingerprints: No Two The Same

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students will be offered numerous opportunities to further enhance their observational skills as well as the integration of math with their continual exposure to the metric system, measurement, and graphing to represent their data....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dude, Who Hit My Car?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners discuss how investigators solve a hit and run accident. In this physical science lesson, students recreate an accident scene using CEENBot. They collect data from the experiment and formulate conclusion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Case Of The Sour Employee

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders are presented with a problem that has to be solved. The scenario is a mystery that is purely hypothetical. This does draw on the knowledge of previous lessons. The lesson plan contains background knowledge explaining the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA-a Molecular Identity

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore about what DNA is and several different DNA typing techniques. They examine three different situations where DNA typing was used to carry out justice. Students also identify and evaluate different uses of DNA typing...
Interactive
Rice University

Rice University: Web Adventures: Csi: The Experience

For Students 9th - 10th
Based on the CSI television show, this series of four role-playing games helps students learn the scientific method and try their hand at solving crimes. Discover if you have what it takes to be a forensic scientist.