Curated OER
DNA Fingerprinting with Gel Electrophoresis
Students use DNA fingerprinting to demonstrate the concept that DNA fingerprinting can be used to identify individuals and solve problems. They use gel electrophoresis to analyze the DNA of a suspected criminal to prove innocence or guilt.
Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning
CSI: The Experience - Family Forensics
Forensic scientists depend on their observation skills to analyze evidence down to the molecular level. Middle and high schoolers practice making observations and predictions with a series of crime scene activities, which includes a...
Cornell University
Plant Cell Crime Scene
Use science to solve the mystery of the Poplar murder. Pupils use forensic botany to determine if a suspect could be the killer. By analyzing images from a Transmission Electron Microscope, learners determine if the material found on the...
Curated OER
DNA Detectives
In order to understand DNA fingerprinting, advanced biology aces divise a crime scenario and analyze three different samples of lambda DNA. This creative lesson plan provides practice with micropipettes, electrophoresis boxes, and other...
Curated OER
Ink Analysis
High school chemistry class members become "detectives for a day" and use the concept of paper chromatography to analyze a note left at the scene of a crime. Pupils test the ink on the note with a solvent, such as isopropyl alcohol, to...
American Museum of Natural History
DNA Detective
DNA is like the fingerprint of genetics. A quick lesson introduces the topic of DNA sequences with a mystery about an endangered species. The lesson shows how DNA extraction, replication, and sequencing often provide undeniable evidence...
Curated OER
DNA Fingerprinting through a Chemistry Lens
Students explore DNA and restriction enzymes using fragments of DNA separated by electrophoresis on an agarose gel. They analyze the results to see "whodunit".
Kenan Fellows
Unit 2: DNA Analysis
Ever wonder how they solve those mysterious murders in TV crime dramas? The second of four units in a Biotechnology series introduces scholars to the many methods of DNA analysis. Pupils create and run their own gel electrophoresis...
American Museum of Natural History
DNA Detective
Match up the DNA code. Pupils read the website from the American Museum of Natural History about how DNA can determine whether a skin is from a particular type of reptile. Using the same technique, learners match up products with the...
Curated OER
Shellfish Shenanigans
Twelfth graders create simulations of a reality-based TV show that investigates the near death of a contestant from a seafood meal. They examine the physical symptoms of anaphylactic shock, and create protein fingerprints.
Curated OER
DNA Questions
In this forensic science worksheet, high schoolers analyze the characteristics and uses of DNA to complete 26 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Solving Imaginary Crimes
Students participate in a forensic science activity. In this crime solving lesson, students investigate fingerprints, and other crime scene evidence to solve an imaginary crime.
Curated OER
Flesh Eating Bugs, Moldy Corpses, The Trail of a Killer
Learners read about how forensic entomologists use maggots to solve murders. In this forensic science lesson, students read an article and answer questions. They go to different websites about evidence and fingerprinting.
Curated OER
Genetics 5 Technology
Learners, after studying extraction and gel electrophoresis, recombinant DNA, transgenic organisms, and reproductive cloning, summarize the main concepts in DNA technology. They analyze the applications of DNA: forensics, medicine,...
Chymist
Ink Analysis: An Experiment in Paper Chromatography
Test differences in writing instruments with this hands-on activity to demonstrate paper chromatography in action. The class performs an experiment on multiple writing instruments and determines the area of separation to discover an...
Curated OER
The Science of Forensics
Students examine the importance of details in evidence gathering, as well as the relationship between chemistry, physics and biology. For this forensics lesson students divide into groups and look at fingerprints and fill out an...
Curated OER
Who Did It?
Students explore how forensic science is used in criminal investigations. They learn that for the next few days that are going to try to solve a crime that took place in the classroom. Students are given a story to read about the crime...
Curated OER
Prints and Patterns
Students learn the art of lifting a fingerprint and write about the procedure.
Curated OER
CSI, Second Grade Style
Second graders conduct a classroom investigation. In this investigative lesson, 2nd graders spend their time observing, measuring, and collecting data. They simulate a forensic science lab by conducting a fingerprint, scent, footprint,...
Curated OER
Lost Baby
Students simulate the steps involved in creating a DNA fingerprint by the RFLP technique. They analyze RFLP patterns to determine the parentage of a missing baby.
Curated OER
Bioethics and the HGP
Students analyze case studies using the rules and principles of ethics. They comprehend which rules and principles of theics are of great importance to the Human Genome Project. Students participate in mock student hearings.
Curated OER
iDNAvestigation Exploration
Young scholars investigate DNA Fingerprinting techniques and applications. They participate in a scenario to analyze blood to discover who shattered a plexiglass backboards. In addition, they explain why the DNA fingerprint of blood from...
Curated OER
Unwind: Directed Reading Thinking Activity
To generate interest in reading Neal Shusterman's young adult science fiction novel Unwind, class members engage in a Directed Reading-Thinking Activity (DRTA) that asks them to examine the front and back covers, the blurbs, and "The...
Curated OER
Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying is an important topic to address with middleschoolers. Here, learners take an active role in identifying and discussing this issue. Reviewing this resource with your class will help to equip them to be a part of the...