Day 1:

Title: Murder Mystery Escape Room 

Objective: During this lesson, students will actively engage in problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and collaboration to solve a murder mystery within an escape room scenario.

Grade level: Middle school

Materials needed:

1. Murder mystery escape room on Google Slides or print escape room activity to give to students.

2. Background story and clues for the murder mystery (developed in advance)

3. Countdown timer or stopwatch

4. Paper, pencils, and writing materials

Key Concepts and Skills:

1. Problem-solving and critical thinking

2. Communication and collaboration

3. Reading comprehension

4. Analytical skills

5. Creative thinking and deduction

Lesson Plan:

Introduction:

1. Capture students' interest by sharing examples of famous murder mysteries or escape room scenarios.

2. Explain the purpose of the lesson and the escape room activity.

Activity 1: The Crime Scene:

1. Set up the escape room scenario to resemble a crime scene.

2. Present the background story to the students, including relevant characters, motives, and potential suspects.

3. Provide students with instructions and the necessary guidelines for the activity.

4. Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific area of the escape room to investigate.

5. Encourage students to take notes and collaborate within their groups.

Activity 2: Puzzle Solving and Clue Analysis:

1. Create puzzles and riddles that students need to solve to unlock new clues.

2. Present each group with a puzzle/riddle or a locked box that requires a combination. Provide them with partial hints or clues to start.  We used a Google Slide Presentation that required code to unlock next evidence slide.

3. Students must work together to solve the puzzle and unlock the next clue.

4. Rotate the groups through different puzzles, ensuring all students get a chance to participate actively.

Activity 3: Collaborative Discussion and Final Solution (15 minutes):

1. Gather all students back together and have each group share the clues, puzzles solved, and findings.

2. Promote collaborative discussion among the groups, encouraging students to analyze the clues collectively.

3. Lead students towards identifying the potential suspect(s) and motive(s) based on the evidence gathered.

4. Facilitate a class discussion to unveil the final solution to the murder mystery.

Conclusion:

1. Recap the activities and celebrate the students' teamwork and critical thinking skills.

2. Encourage students to reflect on the challenges they encountered and how they overcame them.

3. Discuss the importance of teamwork, communication, and logical reasoning in problem-solving situations.

Optional Extension Activity:

1. Students can create their own murder mystery escape room scenarios and puzzles for other students to solve.

2. Invite students to write a short story or script based on the escape room experience.

Day 2: Active Crime Scene Investigation Activity with Fairmont State University Crime Scene Investigation Team 

Title: Crime Scene Investigation: An Interdisciplinary Project

Grade level: Middle School 

Subject area: English and Science

Objectives:

1. Integrate knowledge and skills from English and Science to solve a crime scene investigation (CSI) case.

2. Enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

3. Strengthen knowledge in science concepts such as forensics, genetics, and scientific investigation.

4. Develop proficiency in written and oral communication through report writing and presenting findings.

Materials:

- Crime scene investigation case files (can be fictional or adapted from real-life cases)

- Forensic science textbooks or online resources

- Notebooks or digital devices for taking notes

- Whiteboard or flip chart and markers

- Laptops or computers with internet access

- Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)

- Evaluation rubrics

Procedure:

Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation

1. Begin the lesson by discussing what crime scene investigation entails and its importance in solving crimes.

2. Review basic scientific concepts related to forensics, such as fingerprinting, DNA analysis, and chemical analysis.

3. Provide an overview of the interdisciplinary project and its goals.

Crime Scene Investigation Skills in English

1. Divide students into teams of 4-5 members and assign them a crime scene investigation case file.

2. Instruct students to read and analyze the case file, taking notes on important details, evidence, and potential suspects.

3. Guide students in creating a character profile of the suspect(s) using descriptive writing techniques.

4. Teach students the process of writing a police report, focusing on accurate and concise description of the crime scene and evidence.

Scientific Investigation and Analysis

1. Introduce scientific investigation techniques such as fingerprint analysis, DNA extraction, chromatography, and blood typing.

2. Demonstrate and explain each technique, allowing students to practice using provided lab equipment and materials.

3. Assign scientific investigation tasks to each team based on the evidence presented in the case file (e.g., analyze fingerprints, perform DNA analysis).

4. Instruct teams to document their experimental procedures, observations, and results accurately in a lab notebook.

5. Guide students in analyzing and interpreting their findings to advance their investigation.

Integration and Collaboration

1. Facilitate a group discussion where teams share their findings and evidence with the class.

2. Allow each team to develop theories and present their conclusions to the class using presentation software.

3. Encourage students to support their theories with scientific evidence and persuasive arguments.

4. Conduct a class debate where teams present opposing theories and challenge each other's findings.

5. Assess students' ability to communicate effectively, support arguments with evidence, and rebut opposing claims.

Conclusion and Reflection

1. Reflect on the interdisciplinary aspects of the project, emphasizing how English and science complemented each other.

2. Engage students in a discussion about the challenges they faced and the problem-solving skills they developed throughout this project.

3. Assign a concluding written reflection for students to express their learnings, growth, and the connection between English and science.

Evaluation:

1. Police report: Clarity of information, organization, and grammar.

2. Lab notebook: Accuracy of experimental procedures, thoroughness in observations and analysis.

3. Presentation: Quality of arguments, use of evidence, persuasive skills, and effective communication.

4. Written reflection: Reflection on the interdisciplinary collaboration and personal growth.

Extension Activities:

1. Invite guest speakers from the forensic science field for a Q&A session.

2. Organize a field trip to a local crime lab or invite professionals to conduct a workshop on forensic techniques.

3. Encourage students to research and present on famous criminal cases and their forensic significance.

4. Guide students in creating their own crime scene investigation case files and presenting them to their peers.

Day 3

Title: Hands-On Crime Scene Investigation Unit

Grade Level: Middle School 

Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of physical evidence in crime scene investigations.

2. Learn techniques for testing liquids for pH levels.

3. Analyze human and dog hair samples using a microscope.

4. Learn about the concept of coagulation and its relevance in crime scene investigations.

Materials:

- Crime scene kit (including fake blood, various liquids, hair samples, microscopes, pH test strips, and coagulation testing supplies)

- Disposable gloves and safety goggles

- Worksheets and handouts

- Whiteboards or blackboards

Introduction to Crime Scene Investigations

Objective: Understand the importance of physical evidence in crime scene investigations.

1. Begin by discussing the importance of physical evidence in solving crimes.

2. Show real-life examples where physical evidence played a crucial role in solving a crime.

3. Hand out crime scene investigation kits and explain the materials and tools inside.

4. Discuss the importance of proper handling and documenting of evidence.

Testing Liquids for pH Levels

Objective: Learn techniques for testing liquids for pH levels.

1. Introduce pH scale and explain its importance in forensics.

2. Discuss different pH indicators and their color changes in acidic, neutral, and basic solutions.

3. Conduct a hands-on activity where students test various liquids using pH test strips.

Hair Analysis Using a Microscope

Objective: Analyze human and dog hair samples using a microscope.

1. Explain the importance of hair analysis in crime scene investigations.

2. Provide examples of how hair analysis can help identify suspects or victims.

3. Demonstrate how to properly prepare a hair sample for microscopic analysis.

4. Allow students to examine prepared human and dog hair samples under microscopes.

5. Guide students in documenting their observations using labeled diagrams or sketches.

Testing for Coagulation

Objective: Learn about the concept of coagulation and its relevance in crime scene investigations.

1. Introduce the concept of coagulation and its role in blood analysis at crime scenes.

2. Discuss how coagulation can help determine the time and nature of a crime.

3. Demonstrate the process of testing for coagulation in blood samples.

4. Allow students to conduct coagulation tests using supplied materials.

5. Engage students in discussions about the implications of different coagulation results on crime scene investigations.

Crime Scene Investigation Lab

Objective: Apply the knowledge and skills acquired to solve a mock crime scenario.

1. Provide a simulated crime scene scenario and distribute crime scene investigation kits.

2. Allow students to work in small groups to process the crime scene, collect and analyze evidence, test liquids for pH levels, analyze hair samples, and test for coagulation.

3. Instruct students to document their findings, record observations, and prepare a detailed report.

4. Facilitate a class discussion where groups present their findings, theories, and any challenges faced during the investigation.

5. Wrap up the unit by discussing the importance of using scientific techniques in crime scene investigations and the real-life applications of the skills learned.

Note: This lesson plan assumes that safety protocols and guidelines for handling chemicals and microscopes have been provided to students beforehand.