CRIME BUSTERS

MICHIGAN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD COACHES WORKSHOP AT MSU

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015

PRESENTED BY:

MIKE REED, REEDM@GHAPS.ORG

MICHIGAN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD BOARD MEMBER

AP CHEMISTRY TEACHER, GRAND HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL

HEAD COACH, GRAND HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

From Michigan Science Olympiad: If you have not already registered and

paid for your team, go to http://miscioly.org/shop/

The deadline for registering and paying for your team is January 11th.

State bids are based on the number of primary teams registered and paid by the deadline.

See Sue West for more information regarding registration.

For coaches, students, and event supervisors:1.Read the rules.2.Know the rules.3.Follow the rules.

SAFETY FIRST!

GOGGLES

GOGGLES from sonic.org/eye_protectionCATEGORY C

Description: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles. These seal tightly to the face completely around the eyes and have indirect vents constructed so that liquids do not have a direct path into the eye (or no vents at all). If you are able to see through the vent holes from one side to the other, they are NOT indirect vents

Corresponding ANSI designation/required marking: Z87 (followed by D3 is the most modern designation but, it is not a requirement)

Example: Indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles

Notes: 

1. A goggle that bears the Z87+ mark and is an indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggle will qualify for all three Categories A, B & C

2. VisorGogs do not seal completely to the face, but are acceptable as indirect vent chemical/splash protection goggles

LAB COATS OR LAB APRONS

1. DESCRIPTION: Given a scenario, a collection of evidence, and possible suspects, students will perform a series of tests. The test results along with other evidence will be used to solve a crime.

A TEAM OF UP TO: 2EYE PROTECTION: CAPPROXIMATE TIME: 50 minutes

2. EVENT PARAMETERS: Students may bring only specified items. No other items including calculators are allowed. The event supervisors will check the kits, confiscate non-allowed items, and have the right to penalize a team up to 10% if additional items are in the kit.

2a. Students may bring only these items:

i. Test tubes (brushes & racks), spot plates, well plates, reaction plates or similar small containers for mixing ii. Something for scooping & stirring iii. pH paper iv. Magnet(s) v. Hand lens(es) vi. Microscope slides and cover slips vii. Forceps or tweezers viii. Writing instruments ix. Paper towels x. Pipettes or Droppers xi. Each team may bring 5 pages (both sides) containing information in any form from any source (sheet protectors are permitted).

Note: Students not bringing these items will be at a disadvantage. The supervisor will not provide them.

2b. Supervisor will provide:

i. Iodine reagent (KI solution) ii.1M HCl iii.Chromatography materials plus containers iv.Waste container(s) v. Wash bottle with distilled water (no more

than 250 mL)

2c. The supervisor may provide:

vi.Other equipment (e.g., microscope, probes, calculator, etc.), or

vii.Candle & matches if fibers given, or viii.Differential density solutions or other

method of determining density of polymers if plastics given or Reagents to perform additional tests.

2d. Safety Requirements: Students must wear goggles, an apron or a lab coat and have skin covered from the neck down to the wrist and toes (gloves are optional, but if a host requires a specific type they must notify teams). Long hair, shoulder length or longer, must be tied back. Students who unsafely remove their safety clothing/goggles or are observed handling any of the material or equipment in an unsafe manner will be penalized or disqualified from the event.

3. THE COMPETITION: All competitions will consist of evidence from Parts 3. a-d and analysis of the evidence in Part 3.e. Analysis or questions can only be on the evidence topics included in the competition. The amount of evidence included will be according to the following table:

Level Part 3a (i-iii)

Limit on Mixtures from Part 3.a.i. only

Part b Part c Part d Part e

Regional

6 - 15 Up to 2 of 2 solids with * 5-7 1 type 1-2 topics

Required

State 10 - 18 2-4 of 2-3 solids with * 7-10 1-2 types

2-3 topics

Required

National

14 - 20 2-6 of 2-3 solids with * 10-15 1-3 types

2-4 topics

Required

3a. Qualitative Analysis: The unknown common materials will be taken from the following lists.

i. Solids:

Anhydrous sodium acetateYeastVitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)*calcium carbonate (powdered limestone)*table salt (NaCl)*sugar (crystal)*flour*calcium sulfate∙2H2O (gypsum)*cornstarch*baking soda*powdered gelatin*powdered Alka-Seltzer®*sand (white)

3a. Qualitative Analysis: The unknown common materials will be taken from the following lists.

ii. Non-Powdered Metals:

AluminumIronZincMagnesiumCopperTin

3a. Qualitative Analysis: The unknown common materials will be taken from the following lists.

iii. Liquids:

lemon juicerubbing alcohol (isopropyl)household ammonia (3%)WaterVinegarhydrogen peroxide (3%)

Every team gets the same set of unknowns (evidence). The unknowns will be identifiable by performing tests such as solubility, acidity, magnetic property, color, density, and odor. The scenario will identify which containers may hold the mixtures.

3b. Polymer Testing/Natural and Man-made Substances: Students will demonstrate their skill in identifying and collecting evidence from a variety of sources such as:

i. Hair (the difference between human, dog, cat, not specific kinds of hair),

ii. Fibers (the difference between animal, vegetable, synthetic, not specific kinds of fibers), and

iii.Recyclable plastics (PETE, HDPE, non-expanded PS, LDPE, PP, PVC, PMMA). No burn test allowed but burn results may be provided.

3c. Paper Chromatography: Students will analyze evidence from paper chromatography (ink pens, juices, Kool-Aid®, etc.). The paper chromatogram(s) will be collected with the score sheet. No calculations are expected to be performed.

3d. Crime Scene Physical Evidence: Students will also demonstrate their skill in collecting and/or analyzing evidence from a variety of other sources such as:

i. Fingerprints: Students may be asked to identify different patterns on fingerprint evidence such as the difference between whorls, loops, and arches.

ii. DNA evidence: Students may be asked to compare DNA chromatograms/electropherograms from materials found at the scene to those of the suspects.

iii. Shoeprints & tire treads: Students may be asked to compare prints and make conclusions such as direction and speed of travel. No calculations are expected to be performed.

iv. Soil: Students may be given the composition of soil found at the scene or on the suspects and asked to determine if this implicates any of the suspects.

v. Spatters: Analyze spatter patterns for speed and direction of impact. No calculations are expected to be performed.

3e. Analysis: Students will be asked to write an analysis of the crime scene explaining not only which pieces of evidence implicate which suspect and why the suspect(s) was (were) chosen as the culprit(s), but also why the other suspects were not chosen. They will also answer any other crime scene analysis questions posed by the event supervisor.

3f. The collected evidence and other data given may be used in a mock crime scene.

4. SCORING:

a.The team with the highest score wins. Time will not be used for scoring. The score will be composed of the following elements (percentages given are approximate): 3.a.=50%, 3.b.=10%, 3.c.=5%, 3.d.=10%, and 3.e.=25%. Actual point values will be shown at each question.

b.First tiebreaker is Part 3.e. Second tiebreaker is Part 3.a. Third tiebreaker is Part 3.b.

c.Waste will be disposed of as directed by the event supervisor. A penalty of up to 10% may be given if the area is not cleaned up as instructed by the event supervisor.

Recommended Resources: All reference and training resources including the Science Crime Busters Manual and the Science Crime Busters CD are available on the Official Science Olympiad Store or Website at http://www.soinc.org

See General Rules, Eye Protection & other Policies on www.soinc.org as they apply to every event.

SOINC.ORG Go to https://

www.soinc.org/frequently_asked_questions and https://www.soinc.org/official_rules_clarif to see frequently asked questions and rules clarifications for every event.

The Official Rules Clarifications and FAQs apply to all states and all tournaments and originate at the National level (please check your Regional or State Website for special updates pertaining to your regional or state events).

Which students should do Crime Busters? Two students who will be able

to work independently. In this event, divide and conquer. There is a lot to do in 50 minutes.

Students who can stay organized.

Students who can work quickly.

KEYS FOR COACHING

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Part 3a is worth half of the score – practice identifying the unknown materials weekly if not more often.

KEYS FOR COACHING Teach the students basic chemistry lab

skills and how to handle chemicals properly.

Teach the students lab safety. No touching or tasting chemicals. Waft vapors to observe odors. No horseplay in lab. Water bottles are not squirt guns.

Teach the students to work with one sample at a time. Do not contaminate the samples.

KEYS FOR COACHING Teach students to use the

minimum amount of the unknowns and reagents for testing.

pH testing should be done by dipping a stirring rod into a solution, then touching the rod to a small piece of pH indicator paper.

KEYS FOR COACHING Teach students how to clean up

properly when they are done. Event supervisors should indicate where to put waste.

Popsicle sticks and coffee stirrers can be used for scoops and stirring.

Give students a set of known substances for practice. Students should make their own tables of observations.

KEYS FOR COACHING – STUDENT MADE OBSERVATION CHARTSubstance Solubility in

H2OpH Reaction in

HClReaction in Iodine solution

Odor Appearance

NaC2H3O2

Yeast

Vitamin C

CaCO3

NaCl

C12H22O11

Flour

CaSO4

Cornstarch

NaHCO3

Gelatin

Alka-seltzer

Sand

KEYS FOR COACHING – STUDENT MADE OBSERVATION CHARTSubstance Reaction

in HClMagnet Color -

Appearance

Malleability

Aluminum

Iron

Zinc

MagnesiumCopper

Tin

KEYS FOR COACHING – STUDENT MADE OBSERVATION CHART

Substance pH Odor Color - Appearance

Reaction in HCl solution

Reaction in Iodine solution

Lemon Juice

Rubbing Alcohol(isopropyl)

Household Ammonia

Water

Vinegar

Hydrogen Peroxide 3%

KEYS FOR COACHING Students need to be taught how to

observe and what to observe.

QUESTIONS? See your friendly, neighborhood chemistry teacher.

Look up information on the internet.

https://www.soinc.org/science_crime_busters_b The above link has resources from the NSO

Chemistry Committee chair, Lin Wozniewski – excellent notes

http://scioly.org/wiki/index.php/Test_Exchange#Crime_Busters