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Detecting New Skills
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Computer Resources
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Software: Science Sleuths
Internet: Forensic Files, The Case.com
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Software
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Science Sleuth
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Internet
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Forensic Files: http://www.discoverlearning.com/forensic/docs/index.html
The Case.com: www.thecase.com/kids
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Cost
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Free, Less than $20=$, Less than $50=$$, More than $50=$$$.
Science Sleuth = $$
Forensic Files = Free
The Case.com = Free
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Life Skills
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Computer Software and Internet | Problem Solving
Critical Thinking | Record Keeping.
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Age Level
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Grades 5-9+
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Setting
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Information and training for staff in developing science process skills in youth can be found at the following locations:
Youth can work on software individually or as a team. Work can be done at the program setting or from home.
Computer activities with wrap around hands-on activities can become a day/residential camp, or after-school program over several weeks.
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*Do
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Introduction Activity: Surprise!
Developing Your Detecting Skills
Develop Science Skills through other hands-on activities:
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*Reflect:
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Discuss reflection questions that are part of each hands-on activity.
Discuss the computer lab experience using these
General Questions
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Apply
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Software-Science Sleuths: Apply your new found detective skills by solving the mysteries on the software.
Tips for facilitators in using the software.
Basic Computer Lesson Plan
Internet-Visit the following websites and try out your detective skills
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More Activities
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Speakers - law enforcement, forensic scientists
Do a fingerprinting activity. Visit http://www.eecs.umich.edu/mathscience/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/prints.html
Visit the CIA Kid's Page. Find out about explosive-sniffing dogs and aerial photography pigeons. Click on "Games" to decode a secret message or prepare a disguise.
www.cia.gov/cia/ciakids/index.html
Visit the U.S. Department of Justice Web Page to find out more about crime detection. Click on "Youth 6th-12th" and then "Crime Detection" to find out about DNA Testing, Fingerprint ID's and Polygraph Tests.
www.usdoj.gov/kidspage/
Write your own mystery story. These sites can provide help:
Have a mock trial to determine who done it! These sites can provide help:
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Extended Activities
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A Crime, A Clue and Biotechnology. Iowa State University Extension publication.
Solve a mystery using biotechnology. (12 hours of activities) Order # 4H-950 www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/pubs
GEMS Mystery Festival: www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GEMS
Guide contains activities where students observe the "crime scene" then conduct crime lab tests on the evidence at learning stations, analyze the results, and try to solve the mystery. (Five hours of activities)
GEMS Crime Lab Chemistry: www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GEMS
Youth are challenged to determine which of several black pens was used to write a ransom note, youth learn and use paper chromatography. (Two+ hours of activities)
GEMS Fingerprinting: www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GEMS
Youth explore the similarities and variation of fingerprints, devise their own classification categories, then apply their classification skills to solve a crime. (Three hours of activities)
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Time
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4+ hours |
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Additional Information
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Content: Science Process Skills and Science Literacy
Life, Earth, Environmental and Physical Science
Research
Writing
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