Summer SAVY, Session 2 Day 5, Forensic Science: Cracking the Case (1st-2nd)
What an Amazing Week of Forensic Science!
Our final day of detective training was truly the best yet! As we near the end of this exciting journey, students applied all the skills and concepts they’ve learned, diving deeper into the fascinating world where chemistry meets forensic science.
The day started with a big reveal – a crime scene! Someone had stolen cookies from the cookie jar (the ultimate offense in our class). The scene was full of clues waiting to be analyzed, and our young forensic scientists got right to work.
Using their growing knowledge, they examined fingerprints left at the scene, carefully comparing unique patterns to find matches. A mysterious shoe print was discovered, a spilled powder begged to be tested, suspects shared their alibis, and a DNA sample was collected from a cup. Through hands-on forensic experiments, students practiced analyzing each piece of evidence. One important lesson was clear: not all evidence points directly to the culprit. For example, the DNA sample turned out to belong to the teacher!
To deepen their understanding of DNA, students practiced tying knots, a challenging but fun skill at this age, to create DNA bracelets. These wearable models helped them remember the base pairing rules: Adenine pairs with Thymine, and Cytosine pairs with Guanine.
To wrap up the day, students put their brains to work solving a big town mystery packet. They completed several pages that required critical thinking and some higher-level math. Some students might appreciate a little parental assistance to tackle the trickier parts.
I want to thank you all for making this such an incredible week at SAVY. Every student was engaged, helpful, and eager to learn. I’m so proud of the skilled forensic scientists in my class. They truly challenged themselves and had so much fun. If I could keep them for another week, I definitely would!
Extension Ideas for Families
- Create Your Own Crime Scene
Set up a simple “crime scene” at home using household items. Leave clues like fingerprints (use washable ink), shoe prints (use paint or dust), and mysterious powders (flour, sugar, or baking soda). Have your child investigate and gather evidence to solve the mystery.
- DNA Bracelet Craft
Help your child make their own DNA bracelet using colored beads or strings to represent the four bases (A, T, C, G). This hands-on activity reinforces the idea of base pairing and DNA structure.
- Fingerprint Matching Game
Collect fingerprints from different family members using ink or pencil graphite, and paper. Compare patterns and see if your child can identify whose prints belong to whom.
- Chromatography Experiment
Try a simple chromatography activity with markers and coffee filters to observe ink separation, just like the ink analysis the students did at school.
- Math Mystery Puzzle
Work together on logic or math puzzles at home to strengthen problem-solving skills needed for mysteries like the one in the packet.
Questions to Spark Family Discussions
- What part of the forensic investigation did you find most interesting? Why?
- How do you think chemistry helps solve crimes?
- Why is it important to carefully examine all evidence, even if it seems unrelated?
- What did you learn about DNA and how it works?
- How did working as a team help solve the cookie mystery?