The Evidence: DNA Fingerprinting

Grade Levels: 6 - 8

Students will examine how scientists use DNA fingerprinting to determine a crime suspect's innocence or guilt.

Objectives

• Students will use vocabulary related to DNA fingerprinting.
• Students will learn about DNA fingerprinting.
• Students will learn how scientists conduct the DNA fingerprinting process and analyze the results.

Materials

• DNA Detective activity worksheet
• The Evidence: http://www.sfscience.com/english/grade_6/unit_A/chap_2/act_3/1.htm
• DNA Fingerprinting: http://protist.biology.washington.edu/fingerprint/dnaIntro.html

Procedures

1. Introduce key vocabulary: banding pattern, DNA, evidence, gene, identical, molecule, unique.

2. Have students visit The Evidence.

3. Ask students to use the activity worksheet to record the information they learn as they explore Basics of DNA Fingerprinting.

4. Encourage students to take the quiz at http://www.sfscience.com/english/grade_6/unit_A/chap_2/act_3/3.htm and complete the writing activity at http://www.sfscience.com/english/grade_6/unit_A/chap_2/act_3/4.htm.

5. Suggest that students plan and write their articles using the information they gathered on their worksheets.

6. Have students work individually or with partners.

7. Arrange a time when students can share their findings.

Assessment

Use students' worksheets, newspaper articles, and participation in the class discussion to assess their understanding of DNA fingerprinting.

Extension Activities

• As students visit Wildlife Crime Busters (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/world/9902/crime-busters/index.html) they will learn how forensic scientists gather evidence, including DNA fingerprinting, to solve crimes against endangered animals. Have students write and illustrate a paragraph about a wild animal they would like to protect.
• After exploring 10 Things Kids Can Do to Stop Violence (http://www.lapdonline.org/prevent_crime/content_basic_view/1362) suggest that partners design a poster advertising at least five things they can do to prevent crime.
• Invite students to add their animal paragraphs and their crime prevention posters to a hallway display entitled "Together We Can Make a Difference!"

Standards Correlations

National Science Education Standards

• Students develop understanding that an experiment must be repeated many times and yield consistent results before the results are accepted as correct.
• Students develop understanding that scientific inquiry includes evaluating results of scientific investigations, experiments, observations, theoretical and mathematical models, and explanations proposed by other scientists.
• Students develop understanding that the work of science requires a variety of human abilities, qualities, and habits of mind.

National Educational Technology Standards

• Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
• Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.