SUN PRAIRIE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT COURSE POWER STANDARDS Course Title: Forensic Science Curriculum Area: Science Course Length: Semester Credit Status: ½ Physical Science Credit Date submitted: 7/09 Expected Student Results/Power Standards At the end of the course the student will be expected to: 1. Understand how to collect, interpret, analyze, and evaluate data with appropriate use of technology to make informed scientific decisions. 2. Investigate questions using scientific methods and tools, and revise their personal understanding to accommodate knowledge. 3. Explore systems, order, and classifications in our natural and designed world to develop an understanding of forensic science. 4. Uses effective research and communication skills and tools to demonstrate understanding of science and communicate procedures and findings to others. 5. Understand how science knowledge and skills are connected to other areas and reallife situations. 7/09 HS 1
Power Standard: Understand how to collect, interpret, analyze, and evaluate data with appropriate use of technology to make informed scientific decisions. (1) A. Use properties to identify, describe, and categorize substances, materials, and objects B. Identify, describe, and categorize things based on their characteristics Students will be able to do Identify types of physical evidence commonly found. Compare and contrast individual evidence and class Describe objects using sensory terms and properties including shape, size, color, texture, and hardness. Collect evidence and establish a chain of evidence of a crime. Use classification techniques of spectroscopy, electrophoresis. Sort fingerprints base on ridge patterns. Classify hair based on cuticle and medulla. Analyze solids and liquids for the presence of drugs. Analyze written documents. C. Measure properties and characteristics Be able to recognizer and investigate a crime scene. Be able to collect evidence from a crime scene without contamination. Measure and determine the physical and chemical properties of evidence including temperature, density, refractive index, concentration, and chemical composition. Type blood, classify fibers, analyze DNA. Use Vernier probe ware to electronically collect and represent data. D. Recognize the components, structure, and organization of systems and the interconnections within and among them E. Construct and use models to predict, test, and understand scientific phenomena Distinguish between physical evidence and testimonial Understand the nature of eye witness Evaluates various explanations for a crime as given by suspects. Investigate a mock crime scene. 7/09 HS 2
Course: Forensic Science Power Standard: Investigate questions using scientific methods and tools, and revise their personal understanding to accommodate knowledge. (2) A. Plan and implement scientific investigations Students will be able to Distinguish between an observation, inference, and deduction. Draw inferences based on observations. Draw conclusions based on Develop testable questions and hypotheses in response to observations. Use appropriate tools to collect data and test a hypothesis. Develop and communicate descriptions, results, explanations, conclusions, and models from Understand and follow proper safety procedures. B. Think logically, analytically, and creatively Approach questions and problems using several different strategies. Distinguish between evidence, explanation, and opinion. Make predictions and create explanations by drawing inferences and recognizing patterns and relationships. C. Practice the principles of scientific inquiry D. Understand the relationship between evidence and scientific explanation Evaluate and modify processes of investigation. Accurately record and report a series of observations. Give proper credit to informative sources. Recognize the logical process of basing conclusions on Recognize that scientific understanding can come from unexpected results. Understand the process of science results from inventive acts of imagination, intelligence and logical inquiry which meet certain criteria of testability, consistency, and rules of 7/09 HS 3
Power Standard: Explore systems, order, and classifications in our natural and designed world to develop an understanding of forensic science. (3) A. Identify problems and challenges in which science knowledge and skills can be applied B. Research, design, and test a variety of ways to address problems and/or challenges Students will be able to do Analyze a crime scene using science, technology, and interviews. Analyze and classify fingerprint Analyze and classify fiber Analyze and classify hair Analyze and classify handwriting. Analyze and classify blood and blood spatter. Analyze and classify DNA fingerprints. Analyze and classify Drug and toxicology Identify the components of the problem and criteria of the suitable solution to crime investigation. Use scientific tools and methods to individually and collaboratively research, and compare alternative solutions to a problem. C. Evaluate solutions and consequences Develop written reports which completely describe the problem-solving process in a laboratory. 7/09 HS 4
Power Standard: Use effective research and communication skills and tools to demonstrate understanding of science and communicate procedures and findings to others. (4) A. Use research, and reading skills to obtain scientific information Student will be able to do Students will use Internet resources to research, read, understand, and summarize informative sources on various crimes or how to assess B. Use writing, technology, and speaking skills to organize and express science ideas Write informative reports that make use of diagrams, tables and graphs Students will complete at least once computer assisted speech where they will research a crime and present how forensic science was used to assist in solving the crime. C. Use effective communication strategies and tools to prepare and present science information Utilize computer software and hardware to produce science products and conduct scientific research and investigations. Clearly present information as evidence to support a conclusion. 7/09 HS 5
Power Standard: Understands how science knowledge and skills are connected to other subject areas and real-life situations. (5) A. Use mathematics to enhance scientific understanding Students will be able to do Use statistical methods and estimation skills to make predictions and describe and analyze results. B. Understand the relationship between science and technology Describe the crime lab and its use of scientific inquiry and technology. Explain the interdependence of science, technology, and law. Understand how the changes in technology have affected forensic science. C. Examine the relationship between science and history Using a timeline research and describe the use of forensic science to solve a historical crime. D. Examine the relationship among science, society, and the workplace Describe how a forensic investigation is influenced by societal, environmental, economic, and political considerations. Recognize and explain some short-term and long-term consequences of science, technology, and law. 7/09 HS 6