Overview
Calling all science teachers! Are you looking for fun, forensic activities and experiments that you can use with your class or share with fellow forensic science enthusiasts? This year for National Forensic Science Week, the FTCOE will once again publish how-to guides and educational resources for teachers! These resources will be made available on our website for teachers and other interested parties to download and use in their courses. Guides will include a “Build Your Own DNA Double-Helix Structure Activity” with sweet supplies and a fun “Visualizing Fingerprint Details With A Balloon Activity.” These guides can be used as resources for elementary, middle, and high school teachers as well as anyone looking for fun forensic science activities to do.
We hope these teacher guides are a useful resource for teachers to spark students' interest in the forensic science profession and we'd love to see the outcome! Send a picture of your work to ForensicCOE@rti.org or tag us using @ForensicCOE #ForensicScienceWeek on Twitter (X), Facebook, and LinkedIn!
Visualizing Fingerprint Details With A Balloon
Explore the unique patterns of fingerprints with this engaging and hands-on activity! By creating an enlarged version of a fingerprint on a balloon, students can examine the intricate details and unique patterns that make up an individual’s fingerprints. This activity provides a fun way to learn about fingerprint pattern types, minutiae, and the science behind fingerprint analysis.
Build Your Own DNA Double-Helix Structure
Learn about the structure of DNA by constructing your own double helix model using candy through this fun, hands-on activity! During this activity, students will learn about the various components that make up DNA. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life.
Check out last year's events!
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week Murder Mystery Event
- 2023 NIJ Forensic Science Graduate Research Symposium and Poster Session
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week Interview Montage
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week Teacher How-To Guides
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week Puzzles
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week Fingerprint Game & Activity
- 2023 National Forensic Science Week Spot the Differences
Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence event has been provided by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.
