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 mysterious STEM unit. They must collect, analyze, and process evidence. They engage in deductive reasoning, scientific inquiry, and problem solving as they determine the relationships between the evidence and the suspects in order to solve the case.

Concepts

forensics, logic, data analysis, problem solving strategies, problem solving techniques, the scientific method

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• If integrated teaching is not an option, cooperative teaching works well for this lesson; the math concepts can be taught during math class while the science concepts are taught during science class, allowing students to make the connections

Classroom Considerations

• Requires a great deal of set up such as preparing the room according to the crime scene, preparing evidence bags and lab reports, and getting to know all suspects
• Relies on prior knowledge of working in groups, the scientific method, and basic computer skills

Pros

• Provides links to multiple mobile apps for three different platforms that support the concepts covered in the unit
• Unit stresses the cross-curricular connections between math and science in a real-world situation
• Includes ideas for differentiated instruction for ELLs, gifted students, and resource pupils

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.6-8.7