Links:
This activity is really easy once
you have prepared the
matchbook 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
Match stick and match book samples (cardboard matches
work best) You must prepare the samples in advance. You need sample sets for
every two students. Each sample set will have three match books with several
missing matches from each matchbook, and one matchstick from one of the
matchbooks. Do not let the students know which matchbook the match stick comes
from - that is their job to figure out which matchstick belongs to which match book.
Try to use the same brand of matches for all sample sets.
Microscopes or Stereoscope or dissect-scope
or Magnifier, Tweezers, Latex Gloves
match book.
1. Put on the latex gloves.
2. Give each lab group a sample set.
3. Students should label each sample in the sample set as match
book 1, 2, 3, and matchstick as A.
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 an identify which match stick belongs with which
matchbook. It does not take much time before they can match up the
tear patterns. Make sure they write down their observations in a
cohesive manner when trying to explain the WHY they match.
7. Share with the students the actual matches.
8. Have them study different samples and with different matches.
Can they come up with other items that could be used in a crime and
that the scientists might be able to match evidence by tear patterns