Forensic Powder Evidence Lesson & Lab

Description

An engaging lesson that provides everything your students need to learn the basics of Forensic Powder Evidence. The Powder Evidence Lesson includes interactive Google Slides, student notes, a powder lab and review questions!

Your students will learn…

The value of powder evidence to forensics
How to collect powder evidence
Methods for powder analysis used in the Crime Lab
Details of 7 powder tests that they will perform in their own powder lab
Identify as many as 11 different white powders in the hands-on powder lab
Test their new knowledge with a 10 questions Google Form review

Included in this Powder Evidence Lesson:

39 Interactive Google Slides teaching Powder Evidence + Key
Student notes + Key
Student Lab sheet
Powder Reference Table – multiple versions to choose from depending on how many powders and tests you want to / can do
Printable lab instructions for students
10 questions on a self grading Google Form – use for review or assessment
Teaching Guide with details about everything!

How your students will learn:

Students work through 39 interactive Google Slides. Slides ask them to drag and drop, organize images, watch short video clips, and think through information. The interactivity keeps them engaged in learning! Slides can be 100% student led, or you can use them for lecture, or a mix of both.

As they work through the slides, students will complete their notes. Student notes ask them to think through the information, not merely copy and paste or fill in the blank. Slides include details and how-to steps for completing the Powder Lab.

In the hands-on Powder Lab, your students are tasked with identifying up to 11 white powders by performing and analyzing the results of up to seven tests.

Powders include:

Cornstarch
Calcium Sulfate
Calcium Carbonate
Potassium Chloride
Calcium Nitrate
Epsom Salts
Table Salt (Sodium Chloride)
Glucose
Sodium Acetate
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
Sodium Carbonate

Powder Analysis Tests Include:

Observations
Solubility in water
pH Test
Reaction with iodine
Reaction with acid
Reaction in Benedict’s solution
Flame Test

Then, test your students’ knowledge with the 10 question Google Form. Use it for review or for an assessment.

This resource includes a comprehensive Teaching Guide with tips and tricks for making the lab as stress-free as possible. There are several versions of the lab that serve to reduce the amount of time and/or resources required – including versions that do not include the flame test or the Benedict’s solution test – and/or use fewer powders. Flexible for any classroom!

Click HERE to see the full Pacing Guide and know how this resource fits into the whole Forensic Science Curriculum.