The Clean Getaway Lab

This is a lesson I use to introduce my physics students to the process of scientific investigation including writing a problem statement, generating a hypothesis, collecting and organizing data, analyzing data, writing a conclusion that is supported by data, and communicating results in a lab report. It also serves as a motivational activity to get students excited about investigating the world around them.

I present the class with the challenge of determining what happened at the scene of the "Clean Getaway." I provide them with a series of digital photos taken of parts of the floor at the crime scene. Each photo includes a protractor for scale.

Step 1 Required Materials

Materials for making fake blood:

shampoo (this is why its called the clean getaway!)
a generous amount of red food coloring
a few drops of blue food coloring

The amount of coloring you need depends on the original color of the shampoo. Once you think you have a good color, smear a little on white paper to see the color.

Other materials:

disposable gloves for students
lab aprons for students
large knife smeared with fake blood and put inside evidence bag (I used a plastic baggie with a zipper closure.)
supply of fake blood for students
prepared crime science blood spatters
protractors
meter sticks
ring stands
small boards
masking tape
graph paper
digital camera
access to a computer
photo analysis software

Comments

[M.C. Langer]

Simple but powerful. I love it! You have my vote. AWESOME!!!!

[CitizenScientist]

Thanks! I used it for the first time this fall to start the school year and the kids did a great job. It's fun to watch them develop and follow through their plans.

[wilgubeast]

This is super awesome. I really like the rubrics, too. This is a WONDERFUL resource for teachers. Thanks for sharing!