Welcome to The Cookie Jar Mystery
In Mrs. Johnson’s classroom, a curious crime has taken place: her favorite cookie jar has been broken and not surprisingly, some of her delicious, homemade cookies have been eaten! As a scientist and teacher, Mrs. Johnson realizes that this unfortunate incident provides a “teachable moment”—an opportunity to teach students how to use the tools of forensic science, understand the crime, and find the guilty party!
In The Cookie Jar Mystery, we will participate in the investigation, aided by the clues and developments in the case revealed in the ongoing story of Mrs. Johnson’s classroom. Although every module moves students closer to a final conclusion and the guilty suspect, each module is fully self- contained, providing a complete science module/lab, all of the activities and assessments to support student understanding, and an engaging chapter in the story of the crime.
The Cookie Jar Mystery Consists of Six Essential Modules—
Module 1: The Crime Scenario
To kick off the series, students are introduced to the classroom caper through discovery of clues at the re-created crime scene. Students learn about the steps of the investigation, observation, and the identities of the four suspects in question.
Module 2: Always Leave a Note—Handwriting and Ink Analysis
Students examine the most obvious clue: the note left behind at the crime scene. They explore handwriting analysis by comparing the note to suspects’ writing samples and then conduct chromatography tests on the ink in the pens found on each suspect.
Module 3: Without A Trace—Examining Hair and Fiber Evidence
Students learn about the famous French scientist, Edmond Locard, often referred to as the grandfather of forensic science who believed “every contact leaves a trace.” Students will examine and compare both hair and fiber samples found at the crime scene to those of the suspects.
Module 4: First Impressions—Fingerprints and Shoeprints
Upon further examination of the evidence, it’s discovered that there were fingerprints and a shoeprint found at the crime scene. Students will study fingerprint patterns, make matches and analyze samples taken from the suspects.
Module 1: The Crime Scenario
To kick off the series, students are introduced to the classroom caper through discovery of clues at the re-created crime scene. Students learn about the steps of the investigation, observation, and the identities of the four suspects in question.
Module 2: Always Leave a Note—Handwriting and Ink Analysis
Students examine the most obvious clue: the note left behind at the crime scene. They explore handwriting analysis by comparing the note to suspects’ writing samples and then conduct chromatography tests on the ink in the pens found on each suspect.
Module 3: Without A Trace—Examining Hair and Fiber Evidence
Students learn about the famous French scientist, Edmond Locard, often referred to as the grandfather of forensic science who believed “every contact leaves a trace.” Students will examine and compare both hair and fiber samples found at the crime scene to those of the suspects.
Module 4: First Impressions—Fingerprints and Shoeprints
Upon further examination of the evidence, it’s discovered that there were fingerprints and a shoeprint found at the crime scene. Students will study fingerprint patterns, make matches and analyze samples taken from the suspects.
Module 5: One of a Kind—Blood Typing and DNA
This activity furthers the students’ case by looking at unique evidence pieces covering blood types and DNA from blood samples. Students will conduct blood typing and DNA experiments to look for possible matches to the suspect samples.
Module 6: Law and Order—Conclusion and Mock Trial
In the final module, your students will create cases to prosecute or defend their leading suspect in a role-play mock trial. The roles will be developed by students with a close association to an actual courtroom, with a strong emphasis on evidence and expert testimony by student forensic scientists.
Students will consult all the data and present who they believe to be guilty based on their new knowledge of forensic science and the evidence discovered. Students will prepare a case for either the prosecution or the defense in a mock courtroom complete with judge and jury!
This activity furthers the students’ case by looking at unique evidence pieces covering blood types and DNA from blood samples. Students will conduct blood typing and DNA experiments to look for possible matches to the suspect samples.
Module 6: Law and Order—Conclusion and Mock Trial
In the final module, your students will create cases to prosecute or defend their leading suspect in a role-play mock trial. The roles will be developed by students with a close association to an actual courtroom, with a strong emphasis on evidence and expert testimony by student forensic scientists.
Students will consult all the data and present who they believe to be guilty based on their new knowledge of forensic science and the evidence discovered. Students will prepare a case for either the prosecution or the defense in a mock courtroom complete with judge and jury!
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