CSI School Investigations

I am thrilled to have discovered this article while browsing through NSTA's 3,000+ journal resources. My alternative middle school students will become quickly engaged with the concept of "... See More

I am thrilled to have discovered this article while browsing through NSTA's 3,000+ journal resources. My alternative middle school students will become quickly engaged with the concept of "CSI" while the attributes of soil are explored through lab investigations of soil pH, conductivity of electrical current in different soil types and the saturation point of different soil samples. Materials are simple to assemble and safe with the young 6th graders. Also - a great tie in for students to meet their school staff - a criminal must be found you know!

Great Article

Very interesting and informative.

Nice detailed CSI

After seeing several CSI scenarios, it was nice to see one that was less contrived and a detailed accounting that gave students a lot to study. The author suggested adding separate stations... See More

After seeing several CSI scenarios, it was nice to see one that was less contrived and a detailed accounting that gave students a lot to study. The author suggested adding separate stations if need be to provide scaffolding for students who needed to practice before officially investigating a clue. In addition, the author made a nice suggestion about it not being a crime at all, but a case of someone borrowing at the last minute (i.e., the principal needed a computer for parent night). There is flexibility in the setup and you are limited only by your imagination.

Chemistry & Physics based CSI

This activity requires students to solve a "crime" in the school where they and staff members are subjects. It has a great deal of prior lessons built into for students and can be altered b... See More

This activity requires students to solve a "crime" in the school where they and staff members are subjects. It has a great deal of prior lessons built into for students and can be altered based on your equipment and what you have taught. I do not have light sensors for example so I would cut out that aspect of the investigation. It definitely can be altered in many ways to help it work best for you and your students. Students will definitely be engaged after walking into a class that has yellow tape and blood splatters on the ground.

Great article

The article provides details on how to set up a crime scene scenario in their classroom. Students take the information gained through the lab stations to decide who committed the crime. If... See More

The article provides details on how to set up a crime scene scenario in their classroom. Students take the information gained through the lab stations to decide who committed the crime. If your curriculum prevents you from taking the time to do this before testing, this would be a great, engaging learning activity for students after state testing is done.

Challenging Unit For Gifted Students

Students no doubt will enjoy doing forensic science, but will need a fair bit of theory before they can fully benefit from performing the lab work. I like the fact that deductive and inducti... See More

Students no doubt will enjoy doing forensic science, but will need a fair bit of theory before they can fully benefit from performing the lab work. I like the fact that deductive and inductive reasoning are required in order to solve the crimes.