Links:
This activity is really cool and
surprisingly easy once you have
gathered all the materials.
Once you have all the materials
you can alter the procedures to
fit a crime scene or simply use it
as an inquiry lesson.
Think
Hair samples (Both Human and animal) Best place to collect these
are at a hair salon and at pet groomers. Have your student collect the hair samples.
They should bring the samples in plastic bags with descriptive labels. i.e. - golden
retriever or mother's dyed red hair
Microscopes or Stereoscope or dissect-scope
or Magnifier, Tweezers, Scissors, Latex Gloves
1. Put on the latex gloves.
2. Preselect the hair samples from the ones collected.
3. Try to have two hair samples similar in appearance but from
different species.
4. Label each sample set as sample A1 and A2 etc.
5. Give each lab group a sample set. Have them create a Venn-
diagram of the characteristics that are alike and different.
6. Using the samples under a magnifier or microscope have the
students try and identify which species: human or other animal. Can
they identify the exact species i.e. - dog - golden retriever.
7. Share with the students the actual species.
8. Have them study different samples. Can they come up with
common characteristics shared by the same species, but from
different samples? How do scientists create a key to help them
identify common characteristics?
9. Use this as a kicking off point for introducing dichotomous key
activities.