Unit Challenge: IDENTIFYING AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE

Goal To analyze and identify several unknown substances

Role You are a Forensic Scientist who has been tasked with analyzing and
identifying two unknown substances collected at a crime scene.
Audienc You will provide a report to the police department as to the nature of
e this substance. In addition, you may be asked to make a presentation of
your findings to other scientists
Situatio The police department is investigating a burglary. Several unidentified
n substances were discovered at the scene. The police need to identify
these substances in order to determine if they are relevant evidence.
They call you up to help them because you should have just completed
the lab activity “White Around You” from HST Red pp. 602 – 603.
Product You will create a short report describing the following for each
substance:
• Physical properties (such as state, color, form, mass, volume, etc.).
• Calculations of its density when provided with the mass and volume of
the
substance
• Chemical properties (reactions with other substances).
• Probable identity.
• Possible source in context of the crime scene.
Standar Your product must meet the following standards:
ds for • All physical and chemical properties are correctly identified.
Grading • Calculations of density are shown for each substance. The calculations
Meets can be
SC.A.1.3.1,
verified as correct.
SC.A.1.3.5,
SC.H.1.3.4 • All substances are identified. In case of similarities, two possibilities
DCPS 6, may be
DCPS 7, named along with data to support the identifications.
DCPS 8,
• All data is recorded in an easy to read format.
DCPS 9,
DCPS 10, • Data tables are correctly labeled.
DCPS 11 You will have one complete class period to do your tests and report.
 IDENTIFYING AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE

Checklist

Your product must meet the Yes No Notes

following standards:

• All physical and chemical

properties are correctly
identified.

• Calculations of density are

shown for each substance. The
calculations can be verified as
correct.
• All substances are identified.
In case of similarities, two
possibilities may be named
along with data to support the
identifications.
• All data is recorded in an easy
to read format.

• Data tables are correctly

labeled

Demonstrate LEADERSHIP by
Putting First Things First and
completing report in time
allowed
Rubric
Lab Report : Unit Challenge: Identifying an Unknown
Substance

Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Components of All required elements All required elements One required Several required
the report are present and are present. element is missing. elements are missing.
additional elements
that add to the report
(e.g., thoughtful
comments, graphics)
have been added.
Physical and Report illustrates an Report illustrates an Report illustrates a Report illustrates
chemical accurate and accurate limited understanding inaccurate
thorough understanding of of scientific concepts understanding of
properties are understanding of the most scientific underlying the scientific concepts
correctly scientific concepts concepts underlying challenge. underlying the
identified underlying the the challenge. challenge.
challenge.
Density All calculations are Some calculations Some calculations No calculations are
Calculations shown and the are shown and the are shown and the shown OR results are
results are correct results are correct results are incorrect, inaccurate or
and labeled and labeled but labeled mislabeled.
appropriately. appropriately. appropriately.

Data Professional looking Accurate Accurate Data are not shown

and accurate representation of the representation of the OR are inaccurate.
representation of the data in tables. Tables data in written form,
data in tables . are labeled and titled. but no tables are
Tables are labeled presented.
and titled.

Unknown The unknown The unknown The unknown The unknowns are not
substances are substances are substances are substances are identified or the
clearly identified and identified, but the partially identified, information is
identified stated. information is stated and the information is erroneous or
in a somewhat stated in a somewhat irrelevant.
unclear manner. unclear manner.

Leadership Demonstrated Completed report Report was not

Leadership by putting with additional time completed
first things first. allowed.
Completed report in
time allotted.
* time exemptions
may apply for specific
students or incidents.
Scoring Guide

POINTS EARNED LETTER GRADE NUMERIC GRADE

24 A 100
23 A 96
22 A 92
21 B 88
20 B 84
19 B 80
18 C 78
17 C 74
16 C 70
15 D 68
14 C 64
13 C 60
12 F 58
11 F 54
10 OR BELOW F 50