Summer SAVY, Session 2 Day 2, Forensic Science: Cracking the Case (1st-2nd)
Dear Parents,
Our class has been diving into the fascinating world of forensic science; today’s focus was on DNA—the key piece of evidence often found at crime scenes.
What We’ve Been Learning Together
- Fingerprint Exploration:
Yesterday, the students excelled at creating detailed illustrations of their fingerprints. We began the day by reviewing what they had learned about fingerprints and creating a concept map to organize and visualize their knowledge. This helped build a strong foundation for understanding unique identifiers in forensic science.
- Introduction to DNA:
The students were very excited to start learning about DNA and how it’s often left behind at crime scenes. This discovery is crucial in criminal cases because DNA evidence can help both the defense and the prosecution build a case to prove innocence or guilt.
- DNA Structure and Function:
Today, students created an impressive model of a DNA strand. They learned about the double helix structure and the nucleotide base pairs: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine. This activity helped them understand how DNA carries genetic information.
- Critical Thinking Discussion:
Students reflected on the question: “Do you believe our strongest evidence can be invisible to the human eye?” They justified their thinking and debated the pros and cons of the statement: “DNA evidence is the best way to solve crimes.” This discussion encouraged them to think critically about the strengths and limitations of forensic evidence.
- Hands-On DNA Experiment:
The class conducted a lab experiment extracting DNA from a strawberry. The students were amazed by the visible strands of DNA they were able to pull out! This experiment is simple enough that they might want to recreate it at home with you. Students were using the scientific method, some for the very first time! As forensic scientists, we will continue to use the scientific method in experiments moving forward.
- DNA Profile Analysis:
We also examined DNA profiles to find patterns and practice solving cases. This helped students see how forensic scientists analyze DNA evidence to identify suspects or victims.
- Extension Activity:
For families interested in exploring further, students can extract their own DNA from saliva using an Extraction Buffer. This is a fun and educational activity that deepens understanding of DNA in everyday life. Watch here!
Discussion Questions to Explore at Home
- What surprised you most about fingerprints and DNA in forensic science?
- Why is it important that DNA evidence is often invisible but so powerful?
- What do you think are some challenges or limitations of using DNA evidence in court?
- How can learning about forensic science inspire students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, or math?
- Would you feel comfortable if your DNA information was stored in a database? Why or why not?
- How can families safely and ethically explore DNA experiments at home?
