On-line Forensics Adventures Assignment

Take a look at the three websites: CSI: Web Adventures: Forensic Biology, the
MedMyst: Mission 1, and Murder at Oldfields website.

Please answer the following questions:

1. Choose one of the websites to discuss. List the specific science

content (look for at least 2-3 concepts) that students are learning about.

A. MedMyst: Mission 1: Orientation at O.R.B.

http://webadventures.rice.edu/stu/Games/MedMyst/

B. CSI: Web Adventure: Forensic Biology: Case 1: Rookie Training

http://forensics.rice.edu/
Students are learning about
Biology:
Structure and function of DNA
DNA profiling
DNA processing
Toxicology
Toxicological evidence, chain ofcustody
Screening tests (headspace gas chromatography, ELISA)
Confirmation test (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry)
Characteristics:
o Class
characteristics
o Individual
characteristics
questions

Primarily, this website focuses on science content around Life Science and
Biology, with a little extension to include
C. Murder at Oldfields: https://murderatoldfields.com/

2. Find the Mt. State Essential Learning Expectations and the NGSS standards
(DCIs, practices and concepts) that correspond to the science content and
skills that the web game introduces.

MT State Standards:

SCI.5-8.3.1

Content Standard 3
Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of characteristics,
structures, and function of living things, the process and diversity of life, and how
living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

NGSS Standards:
MS-LS1-3 : Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a
system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
MS-LS1-1: Conduct and investigation to provide evidence that living things
are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of
cells
Science and Engineering Practices:
Planning and Carrying out Investigations:
Conduct an investigation to produce data to serve as the basis for
evidence that meet the goals of an investigation (MS-LS1-1)

DCI:
-In multicellular organisms, the body is a system of multiple interacting
subsystems. These subsystems are groups of cells that work together to form
tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions. (MS-LS1-
3)

Cross Cutting Concepts:

Structure and Function
-Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized,
modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the
relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures/systems
can be analyzed to determine how they function.

3. Write a brief scenario of how and where you could incorporate the web game
into a science unit.

I think that this website in particular would work fantastically with middle grades.
I would use this in the middle of the unit when children can tend to become
bored with material. This would be a great way to formatively assess your
students understanding in Life Science and Biology content areas. This is a way
that students can apply their learning in a way that feels as though it isnt, and I
feel that kids would really enjoy getting involved. As an instructor, you would be
able to tell how your students are doing through observation and their progress
in the program. A game like this one encourages creativity and confidence with
material, because it helps students into the zone of proximal development with
an appropriate amount of guidance to progress through the program.