Crime Scene Inquiry Activity: Using a Modern Research Technique to Teach about Photosynthesis and Isotopes

摘要

Crime scene investigation scenarios have become a popular tool used to teach scientific concepts across a breadth of disciplines. Here we describe a lesson for high school students that uses a crime scene scenario toconvey the complex concept of isotopic fractionation of Carbon-13 across two photosynthetic pathways (C3 vs. C4), and how isotopic data are used by scientists today to study real world problems. This interdisciplinary activity links concepts in chemistry and biology. In addition, this activity demonstrates the importance of programs that foster collaborations between teachers and scientists.