Grade 7 Science Mini Case #6

CSI:THE MYSTERY POWDER

Todays Tasks
1. Power of Words 2. Pre-Lab 3. Lab 4. Post Lab Questions

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ATLs

1. The Power of Words Opportunity (n)

a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something The criminal was the only one who had the opportunity to steal the necklace. Mr. Stones alibi proves that he did not have an opportunity to commit the crime.

ATL Connections
- Communication

Step 1. Copy the above word into your Vocabulary Book. Step 2. Complete the activity on the back of this page.

- Information Literacy - Collaboration

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #6

CSI:THE MYSTERY POWDER

The Power of Words
Read the following mystery. Try to gure out which suspects alibi is not true, proving they are the only one with an opportunity to commit the crime.
story from http://kids.mysterynet.com

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ATLs tion nica

"That was a neat program on UFO's," said Nina to her cousin Max as they walked down the street. "I think what really amazed me was that UFO's were reported as early as 1800." "That's pretty hard to believe," said Max. "Anyway, do you really believe there are such things?" Nina started to answer when they heard a loud scream coming from Coach Thornton's house. "Come on," shouted Max. They ran into the yard where the coach was staring at ten rose bushes that had been pulled from the ground. "Look at that!" he demanded. "Just look at that." "That's terrible," cried Nina. "Who could have done it?" Coach Thornton looked angry. "I had to not play three of my best football players for skipping class. They were pretty mad at me." "First thing, we'd better get these roses back in the ground," said Max. "Then we'll gure out who did it." Nina and Max helped Coach Thornton replant the roses. Then he invited them in for milk and cookies. "Now," said Nina. "Am I right? You benched Sam Cartland, Mike Brooks, and Alex Avery." "And you lost the game," added Max. The coach rubbed his eyes. "I know, but rules are rules." "I'll bet one of them did it to get even," said Nina. "How about we investigate a little?" "Let's see," said Max after they left. "Coach said the roses were all right when he looked out at nine. But shortly after ten, he found them pulled up." "So, we check to see who doesn't have an alibi between nine and ten. Look!" Nina pointed. "There's Alex Avery over at the Coffee Shop." Alex looked up as they came in. "Hi kids," he said. "Hello, yourself," said Max. "We missed seeing you in the football game." "That was a bummer all right. But I guess the coach didn't have any choice." "Where have you been all morning?" asked Nina. "I've been right here since nine." He turned to the girl behind the counter. "Isn't that right, Amy?" "Uh huh. You helped me carry in that heavy box." "So you weren't anywhere near Coach Thornton's house?" asked Max. Alex looked surprised. "No, I'm not mad at him, but I don't intend to visit him." After they left, Nina looked down the street. "That's Sam Cartland's house. Let's see what he's been doing." "What do you two want," said Sam when he came to the door. "Can we talk with you?" asked Max "Sure, come on in." He closed his laptop as they entered. "I've been watching some football clips to improve my game." "We wondered what you were doing between nine and ten this morning," said Nina. "I was right here watching that program on UFO's." "That was a good program," said Nina. Remember when that guy from Roswell, New Mexico insisted he had been abducted?" "Yeah," laughed Sam. "The one with the bushy hair. Funny how this has been going on for so long. That pilot, Kenneth Arnold, started it back in 1947 with the stuff he saw." "Very interesting," said Max, trying not to look bored. "But we have to get going." "Maybe we can nd Mike Brooks working out at the gym," said Nina as they left. "Probably," agreed Max. They found him on the treadmill. "Hey, you two want to join down here? It's a great place to work out." "Not right now," said Max. "We were wondering about what you were doing from nine to ten this morning." "Right here. You can check the log book. Why?" "Just curious," said Nina with a smile as they went back to the desk. Sure enough, Mike had signed in at ve of nine. This is great," Nina groaned. "They all have alibis." "I'm not so sure of that," said Max. Who does Max think had an opportunity to commit the crime?

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #6

CSI:THE MYSTERY POWDER

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

2. Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

Background

Often at a crime scene investigators nd traces of a powder. It is often impossible to tell if the powder is a drug or simply sugar by sight alone. Forensic scientist rely on different observations and chemical tests to identify different powders.

Types of Observations

When trying to identify an unknown substance, it is important to identify the properties of the substance and then match them to the properties of a substance you already know. There are two categories of properties: physical and chemical. Physical properties of a substance are those characteristics that can be observed, such as color, odor, density, melting point, boiling point, hardness, conductivity, or taste. Chemical properties of a substance are those characteristics that describe how the substance reacts with other chemicals.

Crime

Last night after school someone broke into the canteen and stole all of the ice cream. The crime was discovered at at 5:13 p.m., by one of the canteen staff, and the police were called at 5:17 p.m. by Ms. Poo. When the police arrived they checked all of the sign-out registers, and questioned anyone who had failed to sign out. Police also found a mysterious white powder on the oor next to where the ice cream was stolen. After questioning all the suspects three were found to have a white powder on their shoes. Below are the suspects and some information the police gathered about them: 3 Putter T was found on the football pitch practicing, but had come late to practice

PeeMai was found in the nurses ofce with a stomach ache Mr. Baba was found at home at his daughter's birthday party where there was ice cream KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #6

CSI:THE MYSTERY POWDER

ATLs Informa tion Literacy

Pre-Lab Tasks I need to know. . .

Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. What are the two types of properties a substance can have? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

2. Describe three physical properties of sugar. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

3. How did the police choose who to interview rst? Why? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

4. Which suspect might have had a motive to steal the ice cream? What might that motive have been? 4 __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #6

CSI:THE MYSTERY POWDER

3. The LAB
Use the three white powders taken from the suspects, and the 4 reagents provided. Develop a way of testing and recording your information using the table below. Mystery Powders Putter T PeeMai Mr. Baba Reagents Iodine Vinegar Water Benedict's Solution

Collaboration
Show your test work, results, and data to the teacher.

ATLs

Crime Scene Mystery Powder Results (show your work)

Evidence

KIS International School Science 2010

Grade 7 Science Mini Case #6

6

CSI:THE MYSTERY POWDER

Crime Scene Describe in your own words who was guilty of stealing the ice cream, and describe why you think this (use your data as evidence!) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Write a 50 word conclusion on how you developed your CSI Mystery Powder investigation. What would you do different next time if given three new powders, or new reagents? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

KIS International School Science 2010