Science Sleuths - (Jossey-Bass Teacher) by Pam Walker & Elaine Wood (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

If your students enjoy solving mysteries, they'll love the activities in Science Sleuths. Forensic science is an ideal vehicle for teaching the nature of science as well as basic science concepts. Besides teaching students to think like scientists, forensic science activities also help them understand, master, and apply science concepts. In addition, forensic science relies heavily on science process skills, manipulative skills, laboratory skills, and interpersonal skills, all emphasized by the National Science Education Standards.

From the Back Cover

If your students enjoy solving mysteries, they'll love the activities in Science Sleuths. Forensic science is an ideal vehicle for teaching the nature of science as well as basic science concepts. Besides teaching students to think like scientists, forensic science activities also help them understand, master, and apply science concepts. In addition, forensic science relies heavily on science process skills, manipulative skills, laboratory skills, and interpersonal skills, all emphasized by the National Science Education Standards.

Science Sleuths is an easy-to-use guide that will help you teach students how to unravel forensic science mysteries while improving their critical thinking skills. What your students won't realize is that by solving these mysteries they are engaging in problem solving, application, and synthesis. The activities and experiments in Science Sleuths vary widely, covering topics that range from techniques for sharpening observation skills to recipes for extracting DNA, and they can all be completed without specialized lab equipment. By putting the focus on skills related to critical thinking, the book helps students:

• Identify questions that can be answered throughscientific investigation
• Collect and analyze data
• Explain scientific concepts and make predictions
• Make logical deductions and develop explanationsbased on evidence
• Share findings with others clearly and logically
• Integrate math and writing skills with science

Each chapter in this helpful teaching aid contains eight in-class experiments and activities plus two homework assignments that will engage the interest of young, budding scientists. The activities all include a teacher briefing section, clear activity preparation steps (with lists of materials needed), background information to familiarize students with the topic, detailed procedure descriptions, and conclusion questions.

Help your students become confident, accomplished thinkers and solve the mystery of making science fun with Science Sleuths!

Praise for Science Sleuths

"Science Sleuths is a great book for the teacher who hopes to engage middle school students in science investigations that build upon high interest topics related to mystery, clues, and intrigue."
--Dr. Gail H. Marshall, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, College of Education, University of West Georgia

"The teacher briefs, notes, prompts, and tantalizing topics make Science Sleuths an invaluable resource. These sixty activities are intriguing and the procedures are easy to follow."
--Diane Matthews, Assistant Principal, Fairplay Middle School, Douglasville, Georgia

"What a great tool for new teachers! Everything is provided to conduct authentic instruction and investigation with a format of high interest for students."
--Ann Otwell, science coach, Chestnut Log Middle School, Douglasville, Georgia

About the Author

Pam Walker, M.Ed., has twenty-three years of experience in teaching science and was named 2007 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Elaine Wood, M.S., has spent thirteen years teaching science. Both Walker and Wood teach science in Douglasville, Georgia. They are coauthors of several resource books including Hands-On General Science Activities with Real-Life Applications, Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Labs for Grades 6-12, and Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Activities for Elementary Grades.