CSI for Kids is a page for kids who love detective shows, and who dream of being american examiner some day.
About Forensic Science
Careful Collecting of Evidence
Fingerprints
Historic Investigations
How Evidence is Examined
Now Try to Solve These Crimes

About Forensic Science

Crime Lab
Forensics is the application of science to solving crimes, and scientists are getting really good at it. “There’s no such thing as getting away without a trace,” says Jose Almirall. “There’s always evidence left behind.”

Forensic Science Lesson Plans
A 9-week course on Forensic Science for 8th graders. You need to be able to view Power Point (PPT) and Acrobat (PDF) files. As this designed for classrooms, it might be perfect for a co-op class, or use it on your own.

Careful Collecting of Evidence

Crime Scene Investigation
A real crime scene investigation site. Learn how the experts carefully collect evidence so as not to destroy it in the process.

Fingerprints

Dusting for Fingerprints
Fingerprints are coated with powder, then lifted and taken for identification at the lab. This experiment uses cocoa powder.

Fingerprinting
It is easy to take your own fingerprints, though it’s a bit messy with the ink! With enough care, you can find out what sort of fingerprints you have. You can also identify your friends from their fingerprint!

Fingerprint Classification Project
Follow these instructions for a great lesson on fingerprinting and the scientific method. This project is great for gifted or older elementary students or for middle school students.

Historic Investigations

Secrets of the Dead
Crime scene investigations meet history. A PBS series you can also watch on TV.

Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals
by Professor Elizabeth A. Murray
Audible Edition
Audio Sample
Step into the world of forensic science and study the most fascinating crimes and mysteries from the last two centuries in the 24 lectures of Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals. Professor Murray, a forensic anthropologist with nearly 30 years of experience in the field, has crafted lectures that are a remarkable blend of storytelling and science – a whirlwind tour that takes you from the gas-lit streets of Victorian London to small-town America. As you journey around the world and into the past, you’ll re-examine modern history’s great crimes and scandals using the tools and insights of forensic science. In doing so, you’ll learn how cutting-edge advancements in science and technology are applied to investigations and how to evaluate evidence and think like a forensic scientist.
Audio CD

How Evidence is Examined

FBI – How We Investigate
With the lessons learned during these years, Agents are trained to recognize the many tricks that spies use: fake names, secret messages, special hiding places.

Flame Tests
You can be an analytical chemist or forensic scientist in this activity, by finding out what color flames different metals make, and working out the identity of some unknown metal solutions.

Foot to Height
The bones of the feet can tell a lot about a person. What do feet reveal about a person’s height? Forensic anthropologists team up with law enforcers to help solve crimes.

Ink Chromatography Lab
Chromatography is a method of separating out materials from a mixture. Ink is a mixture of several dyes and therefore we can separate those colors from one another using chromatography. Used to determine which pen wrote the letter.

Is handwriting analysis legit science?
What’s the Straight Dope on handwriting analysis? I know that handwriting experts’ testimony can be accepted in court, so there must be something to it. But I have a hard time believing that a smart criminal wouldn’t be able to change his writing to avoid detection.

Operation Crime Scene Investigation
For kids 10-16 years old. This creative, fun crime investigation game includes a step by step organizer guide, all lab documents and evidence files, CSI ID card, award certificates, invitations, thank you notes, support from the game designer & more.

Powder Analysis
A forensic scientist may discover powder at a crime scene. In order to determine if it is illegal or not the crime lab will identify the substance using chemistry.

Teeth Impressions
Practice being a forensic dentist by leaving the room. One student in the room will take a bite of thick cheese or thick chocolate. See if you can identify the individual who took the bite by comparing the impressions with the bite in the cheese or chocolate.

Urine Analysis
These experiments use faked urine, so don’t get squeamish. The tests are for color and odor, pH, and the presence or absence of protein and glucose.

Now Try to Solve These Crimes

The Case of the Barefoot Burglar
At approximately 7:15 a.m., Friday morning, Mrs. King, the seventh grade science teacher, thought something was fishy as she walked down the hall and noticed that her door was open.

FBI Investigates A Strange Flashlight
Follow a case from start to finish as it makes its way through various units of the FBI Laboratory. Every time you see the phrase, “How did they do that?” click on the link to read the details of how that unit processed the evidence.

Kids Mysteries
Mysteries to solve, scary stories, and magic tricks.

NOVA Online | Killer’s Trail
Welcome to the companion Web site to the NOVA program “The Killer’s Trail,” in which a team of experts investigates the forensic evidence in the 1954 murder of Marylin Sheppard, one of the most famous unsolved crimes in the U.S.

Who Dunnit?
Who took a bite out of the candy? Sticky fingers have been found on the broken aquarium glass. Wet footprints lead to the open window. What is that powdery substance next to the broken piggy bank? Answering these questions is what forensic science is all about.

The post CSI for Kids appeared first on A2Z Homeschool – THE A-to-Z of Homeschooling.

Slime is easy for kids to make and ever so fun for kids to to play with. This ooey, gooey, slippery, and slimy stuff provides a perfect opportunity to guide kids to discover new things by applying what they already know.

Teaching Tips

Telling kids in advance what is going to happen and why it happens is like revealing the plot of a murder mystery. Instead, I suggested that you GUIDE kids so that they learn by discovery. With inquiry questions from you, kids can be encouraged to apply previous knowledge to this new experience.

Gak Recipes

Inquiry Questions

Even very young learners can make contributions to describing the slime. Just prod them a little with a question they understand.

Do you think the slime looks like something Aunt Rosie might cook?

This kind of question starts the kids to thinking, but it doesn’t put a damper on the fun they are having. It can also encourage kids to make comparisons between the slime and stuff that it looks like.

Yes, if you start with a goofy, crazy question, you encourage kids to give goofy, crazy answers. Would any of your kids say the slime looks like “snot?” Of course they will, and no doubt others will want to top the “snot” answer.

Grammar Connection

When answers start getting off target, or when you are ready to focus on something else, zero in on one of the answers, such as snot. Point out a specific characteristics that links slime and snot. For example:

Say, “You are right, slime does remind me of snot. They are both very drippy.”
Do: Hold a piece of slime up to your nose and let it stretch.

Say,“I don’t think drippy is the best word to describe snot or slime. Before dad fixed it, the bathroom faucet dripped one drop of water at a time. What would be a better describing word?

Say, “HEY! Did you hear what I just said? I ask for adescribing word. We studied that yesterday. What was that special name for describing words?

Do: Give clues if kids don’t remember. This is also the type of clues you can give to help kids with science answers.

Clues: It starts with the letter “a.” It reminded us a little of doing math.

Say, “Yea! You remembered. Adjectives.” So, what would be a better adjective for snot and slime than drippy?

Teaching Tips

When I present to large groups of kids, I make a rule that each child may give one original answer. This means answers may not be repeated unless new information is added (except for very young kids). This allows more kids to participate and encourages to think up new answers.

Even goofy answers can be used to focus kids on the characteristics of the slime. Yes, even if “poop” are something as gross is the answer. To stop any further listing of poop related answers, you might identify the color of the slime that was made and state that you’ve never seen poop that color. Then, quickly ask a question that switches to another characteristic about the slime, such as:

How does the slime feel? Is it cold? Hot? Smooth? Rough? Hard? Soft? Etc….. These are “starter” ideas to encourage kids to give their own descriptions.

Help each child to successfully give a description. If a child gives a wrong description, be as positive as possible. You might say, “That’s interesting, but let’s take a closer look at the slime….” It is ever so important for kids to feel “safe.” Safe to give answers without reprisal if they are wrong. Safe from being laughed at. Yes, I know this is easier said than done, but so important.

Clues for Kid Control:

Safety is an important part of all science investigations. Discipline is at the top of my safety list. When I work with a multiage group of elementary kids, I have them to put on an imaginary science hat. With this hat on, everyone will be expected to act like a scientist. But, even scientists get excited and sharing results can be noisy. To get their attention, I say in a very loud voice:

“STOP!” When they hear this, they are to FREEZE!

“LOOK AT ME!” They position themselves so they can look at me.

“LISTEN!” I should have their attention and can give instructions.

What you want your kids to find out about slime depends on their age as well as their abilities. I have prepared material about slime, including how to make SLIME using different materials, as well as making slime fluorescent.

Recipes for different types of slime, research information about the chemistry of slime, and step-by-step directions for designing and developing a Slime Science Fair Project can be found here >>>>> SLIME INDEX

A recipe for slime as well as 199 other fun science investigations are found in this science book by Janice VanCleave.

The post Teaching Using Slime appeared first on A2Z Homeschool – THE A-to-Z of Homeschooling.

Recipes for:

• Amy’s Flubber Recipe
• Glorax (Flubber)
• Neon Gak
• Oobleck
• Silly Putty

Safety and Purchasing of materials

• Safety of borax
• Where to get starch

Neon Gak Recipe

Ingredients for Gak:

• 1 cup Elmer’s glue
• neon food coloring, your choice of color (optional: coloring can stain!)
• 1 cup liquid starch

Pour glue and coloring in plastic container.

Stir until color is thoroughly mixed in.

Add starch a little at a time, stirring with a spoon or kneading with your fingers as mixture thickens.

Keep stirring until mixture holds together like putty.

Test with your fingers: if too sticky, add more starch in small amounts until mass is smooth and rubbery.

Janice VanCleave has tips for parents and teachers on how to make this experiment more exciting and scientific.

How to Remove Food Coloring Stains from Clothing
Using liquid, gel, or powdered food coloring is a great way to enhance your desserts or to add a splash of color to your flowers, but all forms of the dye are highly concentrated—and therefore, stain fabrics easily. Fortunately, you can take at-home measures to remove the stains using supplies you likely already have in your cupboard.

Oobleck Recipe

MAKING 10,000 POUNDS OF OOBLECK IN A POOL!

Another interesting substance is called “oobleck.” It also acts like a liquid until pressure is applied. Oobleck is gluten-free as it is made with cornstarch. This recipe also has link to natural decorating colors for those who may be sensitive to dyes.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts cornstarch
• 1 part water
• natural food coloring with no dyes (optional, as could stain clothing and skin)

Let’s Play and Find Out About Slime
Slime is easy for kids to make and ever so fun for kids to to play with. This ooey, gooey, slippery, and slimy stuff provides a perfect opportunity to guide kids to discover new things by applying what they already know. By Janice VanCleave.

Ooey, Gooey Oobleck
Applying a force to the Oobleck squeezes the water out from between the cornstarch bits, so they do not move. Pulling or pouring the Oobleck gently lets the water stay between the cornstarch bits, and they flow with the water.

Safety of Borax

The following recipes contain Borax, which is a toxic substance. The experiments should not be done in the kitchen nor near food or food preparation areas. Limit the time children are exposed to it, and tell them never to put it near their mouths, nor eat until their hands are washed. If they have an upset stomach or rash afterwards, push fluids, and the symptoms should go away. When interest has waned, use to kill ants somewhere away from children and pets.

Amy’s Flubber Recipe

Amy found this one that worked very well. Needs bowls.

Mix thoroughly

• 1 1/2 cups very warm water
• 2 cups Elmer’s glue
• food coloring (optional, as could stain clothing and skin)

In a separate bowl, mix thoroughly:

• 1 1/3 cups very warm water
• 2 level teaspoons Borax

Mix the contents of the two bowls together kneading until it is fully combined. Discard any remaining liquid.

Glorax (Flubber) Recipe

• Put 3 T. of water into a ziploc bag.
• Add 1 T. of white glue.
• Add 2 heaping T. of Borax (laundry detergent). It must be Borax.*

Shape into a ball. If the mixture is too sticky, roll the ball in a little bit of Borax. Enjoy stretching this elastic substance.

Silly Putty Recipe

This will bounce and pick up pictures from the paper just like the name-brand stuff.

• Add: 1/2 cup water to 1/2 cup Elmer’s glue (Not School Glue!)
• Mix and add 3 drops of food coloring (optional)
• Make Borax solution: Take 2 tablespoons borax (You can buy this at a grocery store or online) and add to 1 cup of water and stir.
• Add 1/2 cup of Borax solution to water and glue mixture
• Stir and store in a plastic bag

Mix well. Add food coloring if you wish. Let it dry about an hour. When ready, it will be smooth and rubber-like. Store in an airtight container.

Bouncy Polymer Chemistry
In this experiment you will make your own homemade silly putty. By varying the ratio of ingredients and by observing physical properties, you can determine the best recipe for the putty.

Silly Putty for Potholes
“So we were putzing around with different ideas and things we wanted to work with-and we were like, what’s a common, everyday problem all around the world that everybody hates?” explains 21-year-old team member Curtis Obert. “And we landed on potholes.” He and four other students decided on a non-Newtonian fluid as a solution because of its unusual physical properties. “When there’s no force being applied to it, it flows like a liquid does and fills in the holes,” says Obert, “but when it gets run over, it acts like a solid.”

Where to get liquid starch

At Walmart and through InstaCart you can buy Purex Sta Flo Liquid Starch, Great for Crafts, Concentrated, 64 Ounce

Note on where to get Borax

You can get Borax at Target, Home Depot And Walmart.

The Dial Corporation acquired the consumer products division of U.S. Borax in 1989 and can instruct you where to buy Borax in your area. Look under “Laundry Care” for “20 Mule Team Borax” and add your zip code. Their phone number is (800) 457-8739, or please visit the 20 Mule Team Laundry web site at 20muleteamlaundry.com.

More …

Bubbles

Chemicals

Classes

Crime Scene Investigation

Food Chemistry

Gak Recipe

Ice Cream

Showy Demonstrations

Software

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