Spring 2008 A Brief History of Nearly Everything

9-10th Grade Class with Louise, Beth & Eric

We are about to embark on an exciting trimester of science activity and exploration that will basically involve studying the complete history of the origins of everything!  This seems like a huge topic, and it is.  We will start with the very origin of the universe and will work all the way toward future implications and ethical dilemmas of evolution.  Specifically, topics will include:

 

  • Cosmology
  • Classification of life
  • Major Evolutionary Concepts
  • Human and Population Genetics
  • Biodiversity & The Future of Evolution

 

Cosmology

The theories of the origin of the universe and the Earth are exciting and important to study and understand as future scientists and beings in this vast expanse of atoms and molecules.  We will ask hard questions and take a close look at the Big Bang, the history of our solar system, the history of our planet, Earth, and all that happened since our Earth’s creation nearly 4.6 billion years ago. 

 

Classification of Life

We will be looking at the fossil record, classification of living organisms, and the origin of life on Earth and how humans have organized and classified the vast number of organisms that are living/have lived on the planet.

Evolution Unit (Major Evolutionary Concepts)
Evolution plays a critical role in our daily lives, yet it is one of the most overlooked principles of life. It is the mechanism that determines who lives, who dies, and who gets the opportunity to pass traits on to the next generation, and the next, and the next... The goals of this unit are to heighten understanding of evolution and how it works, to dispel common misunderstandings and to illuminate why it is relevant to our lives.

Human & Population Genetics

Mendelian genetics is a very important concept to understand.  Topics may include basic Punnett Squares, the history of genetics/genes, and genetic disorders.

Biodiversity & The Future of Evolution

It is up to us to understand the complex systems of the nearly 100 million living organisms on Earth (2 million of which have been classified) and our responsibility to conserve what diversity of ecosystems we have left in order to maintain drinkable water, breathable air and productive soils.  We will ponder whether or not losing hundreds of organisms each year will impact life as we know it on Earth.  We will also explore what life may be like in the future—after analyzing evolution and putting our best guesses forward.

 

Second Trimester

Forensic Science

Unit Overview

Winter Term 2007-2008              Beth White, Science Teacher

 

 

Course Description

Have you ever dreamed about becoming a detective? Are you fascinated by the CSI TV shows or Court TV? Forensic science utilizes various types of science and technology in all aspects of the investigation. It covers nearly every science realm including biology, chemistry, physics and biotechnology. By applying these sciences, forensic investigators can depict the crime scene and figure out what really happened and then use that knowledge in a court of law.

 

However, being a good scientist is not enough!  Skills in detective work, analysis and problem solving helps with locating clues that lead to evidence and convictions. This class will explore the science, technology and critical thinking and problem solving it takes to do good forensic work.

 

Learning Goals

  • Understand the history of forensic science and criminal justice
  • Develop basic skills in observation, data collection, and data analysis
  • Understand, collect and analysis of fingerprints
  • Understand the structure of hair and how it is analyzed in forensic investigations
  • Analyze and synthesize several pieces of data to reach a conclusion
  • Understand and perform scientific inquiry
  • Cleary communicate results of scientific inquiry

 

Assessment

You will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Class participation: how well you focus on your work, stay on task and contribute to group discussions
  • Weekly investigative reports/Lab Write-Ups on forensic topics (fingerprints, skeletal remains, hair, and fiber)
  • Forensic science readings
  • Book Assignment and Evidence Box Final Project
  • Mock At-home Crime Scene with Photographs
  • Final Crime Scene Analysis

 

Please Note: The Weekly Unit Outline below is subject to change and I will do my best to inform you of any changes in advance.

 

Week One:

Introduction to Forensic Science, The Law & Fingerprinting

 

Day One

Tues. 11-27

Introduction to Forensic Science

  • What is Forensic Science? 
  • What will we be covering in this class?
  • What disciplines are related to Forensic Science?  Who would you call?
  • Forensic Science Book Assignment

Homework: Chose and obtain your mystery novel and chunk it into 13 readable sections and read the first chunk (due 11-28).  NOTE: Whole project with Evidence Box and Presentation due date is Thursday, 12/14.

 

Day Two

Wed. 11-28
  • Highlights in the History of Forensic Science
  • Criminal Justice and the Law
  • Steps in Pursuing Justice

Homework to hand in: Evidence Box Reading Info Sheet, Read!

 

Day Three

Thurs. 11-29

 

Antioch Student Presentation on:

1. Fingerprinting (3 days)

  • History of fingerprinting
  • Anatomy of fingerprints, classification of fingerprints
  • At the crime scene: observing and taking fingerprints (physical, chemical and technological methods)
  • Labs may include: taking prints (dusting, fume chamber), identifying prints  and collecting fingerprints from suspects., and “How to Prints Weather?”, a self-designed experimental lab
  • Famous Case: 1933 Hamm Kidnapping

Homework: Read! TBA

 
Day Four

Fri. 11-30

Fingerprinting, cont.

 

Work on your dialectic responses, due Tuesday!

 

Week Two:

Fingerprinting, Evidence Gathering & Hair

Day One

Mon. 12-03

Fingerprinting, cont.

 

Hand in your two dialectic responses based on the first half of the book tomorrow! Hand in your Fingerprinting Lab/Write-up. Read!

 

Day Two

Tues. 12-04

Gathering Evidence & Types of Evidence

  • Individual vs. class
  • Corpus delicti
  • Modus operandi
  • Locard Exchange Principle (types of evidence transfer)
  • Testimonial
  • Physical (animal, vegetable, mineral—chemical, biological, microscopic)
  • Circumstantial

Homework: At Home Crime-Scene Power Point (description/sketch of crime, evidence gathered). Due Friday 12-07. Dialectic responses due! Read!

 

Day Three

Wed. 12-05

Sexing and aging skeletons—Judy Rubin

Homework: Read! Work on Power Point!

 

Day Four

Thurs. 12-06

Antioch Student Presentation on:

2. Hair Analysis (3 days)

  • What can hair tell us?  Individual Evidence
  • Labs may include: Hair Collection, Microscopic Examination (microscope review), Learn and Sketch Hair Anatomy, Form and Structure, Identify Types of Hair (make comparisons and collect samples from suspects), Experiment with Wet/Dry Mounts
  • Famous Case: Colin Ross

Homework: Read! Work on Power Point!

 

Day Five

Fri. 12-07

At-Home Crime Scene Power Point Presentations

Homework: Read! Describe two items that will be included in your evidence box.


 

Week Three: Hair & Fiber Analysis

 

Day One

Mon. 12-10

Hair, Cont.

Homework: Put the finishing touches on your Evidence Box!

 

Day Two

Tues. 12-11

Hair, Cont.

Homework: Read! TBA

 

Day Three

Wed. 12-12

 

3. Fiber Analysis

  • What can fibers tell us?  Class evidence.
  • The Chemistry and Types of fibers (Natural Fibers, Mineral Fibers, Man-Made Fibers—Regenerated and Synthetic)
  • Labs may include: Fiber Recovery/Collection and Analysis via Microscopic Examination, Sketching and Comparison (collect samples from suspects)
  • Famous Case: Amanda Davies

Homework: Read! TBA

 

Day Four

Thurs. 12-13

Fiber Analysis, Cont.

Homework: Finish Evidence Boxes and TBA

 

Day Five

Fri. 12-14

Evidence Box Due—present to the class!

What is due?

  •  Written 1 paragraph summary of the book,
  • Written 1 paragraph recommendation of the book (why/why not)
  •  Oral presentation that includes:
  • brief summary,
  • your opinion of the book, and
  • an evidence box with a minimum of 6 items that somehow connect to the characters, plot and criminal activity highlighted in your book.

 

Week Four: The Crime Scene

 

Day One

Mon. 12-17

CSI: The Crime Scene

  • Crime Scene Management: Searching, Collecting, Packaging and Laboratory Produces for Collecting, testing, and Analyzing Evidence (comparison testing, classification).  Lab scene simulation from policeman, detective, EMT… etc.
  • Photographing and sketching to-scale drawing (set up crime scenes and swap with dolls, etc.)

Homework: TBA

 

Day Two

Tues. 12-18

Crime Scene, Cont.

Homework: TBA

 

Day Three

Wed. 12-19

Crime Scene, Cont.

Homework: TBA

 

Day Four

Thurs. 12-20

Crime Scene, Cont.

Homework: TBA

 

Day Five

Fri. 12-21

Crime Scene wrap-up and Class/Self-Evaluations

 

 

 

 ***********************************************************************************

 

First Trimester:

How do you know what to believe?

“How do you know what to believe?”  is a question that will run through all of ourdiscoveries this trimester.  You are encouraged to look within your self to sort science from science fiction and myth from fact.  We will begin with proving science through labs and each student will conduct a self-designed experiment.  Following this will be a research project about controversial science topics.  Later in the trimester, students will summarize their papers in the form of web sites and presentations. 

Is seeing truly believing?  Can you believe everything you hear?  We will look closely and light waves and how an eye functions, as well as sound waves and the ear.  The class will do numerous in-class lab explorations and assessments.

We will culminate the trimester with personal learning poster gallery presentations.  Students extensively reflect on their work.

Goals For the Semester

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process.
  • Hone critical thinking skills.
  • Demonstrate the communication skills in a variety of formats.
  • Demonstrate the understanding of the proprieties of waves.

 

Projects and Activities

   Create your own lab

   Research projects on controversial topic

   Create web sites and presentations on topic

   Pendulum lab

   Sound Speed lab

   Perception posters

   Light and color on-line simulations

   Editing Project

Supplies Needed for Class

   Note Book

   Folder or three ring

   Bens/ Pencil

   Positive Attitude

   Blue Slushies for Louise, Chocolate for Beth