What others say
Description
Engage students with a real world math project as they analyze bullet trajectory using trigonometry in a forensic investigation. This STEM activity helps students apply angles, trig ratios, and problem solving in a high-interest real-world context.
An unfortunate reality in our world is that homicides happen. In order to bring justice for the victims, crime scenes have to be carefully dissected to bring about evidence to find and convict a criminal. One way this happens is through a careful analysis of the blood spatter. The shape of a blood spatter tells a great deal about the angle at which it hit the ground. This can enlighten investigators when they are trying to determine the height or distance at which the crime took place.
In geometry or precalculus class, this can be investigated with advanced trigonometry in this 21st Century Math Projects.
In this 14-page document, you will be given a mapping to the Content Standards, an outline for how to implement the project, and handout resources for students to use. ***THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH A GOOGLE SLIDES INTERACTIVE VERSION INCLUDED. REDOWNLOAD IF YOU HAVE IT ALREADY***
-- In “Blood Spatter Analysis,” students are guided through developing a strategy using trigonometry to calculate the angle of impact of a blood spatter. They are asked follow-up questions about the height of the killer; however, the killer could be crouching, on a piece of furniture, etc., which could affect the investigation.
-- In “Area of Convergence,” students will be guided through a geometric look at the area of convergence. However, this activity doesn’t lend itself so well on paper, so I’ve provided tables with data. Ideally, you’ll be recreating crime scenes so they can get the full effect! ☺
-- In “Crime Scene Investigation,” you will create crime scenes for students to calculate and interpret. You can be as creative with this as you’d like. Blood spatters are provided, but you may prefer to make your own. I’ve made them a little larger than real life just to make measuring a little easier. In the resource, students are asked to sketch the crime scene, calculate it, and interpret it. I’ve included an extra sheet that you can duplicate for as many crime scenes as you would like them to solve!
You may be interested in the following discounted bundles. SAVE $$$!
•21st Century Math Projects -- All the Projects
Need an Entire Curriculum?
•21st Century Algebra 2 / Pre-Calculus –- the Entire Curriculum
•21st Century Geometry –- the Entire Curriculum
For more tips, tricks and ideas check out the Clark Creative Education Blog
And join our community where I post ideas, anecdotes, elaborations & every once in a while I pass out TPT gift cards! And jokes! I do jokes too!
Bullet Trajectory Math Project | Trigonometry STEM Real World Forensics Activity
Highlights
What others say
Save even more with bundles
Description
Engage students with a real world math project as they analyze bullet trajectory using trigonometry in a forensic investigation. This STEM activity helps students apply angles, trig ratios, and problem solving in a high-interest real-world context.
An unfortunate reality in our world is that homicides happen. In order to bring justice for the victims, crime scenes have to be carefully dissected to bring about evidence to find and convict a criminal. One way this happens is through a careful analysis of the blood spatter. The shape of a blood spatter tells a great deal about the angle at which it hit the ground. This can enlighten investigators when they are trying to determine the height or distance at which the crime took place.
In geometry or precalculus class, this can be investigated with advanced trigonometry in this 21st Century Math Projects.
In this 14-page document, you will be given a mapping to the Content Standards, an outline for how to implement the project, and handout resources for students to use. ***THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH A GOOGLE SLIDES INTERACTIVE VERSION INCLUDED. REDOWNLOAD IF YOU HAVE IT ALREADY***
-- In “Blood Spatter Analysis,” students are guided through developing a strategy using trigonometry to calculate the angle of impact of a blood spatter. They are asked follow-up questions about the height of the killer; however, the killer could be crouching, on a piece of furniture, etc., which could affect the investigation.
-- In “Area of Convergence,” students will be guided through a geometric look at the area of convergence. However, this activity doesn’t lend itself so well on paper, so I’ve provided tables with data. Ideally, you’ll be recreating crime scenes so they can get the full effect! ☺
-- In “Crime Scene Investigation,” you will create crime scenes for students to calculate and interpret. You can be as creative with this as you’d like. Blood spatters are provided, but you may prefer to make your own. I’ve made them a little larger than real life just to make measuring a little easier. In the resource, students are asked to sketch the crime scene, calculate it, and interpret it. I’ve included an extra sheet that you can duplicate for as many crime scenes as you would like them to solve!
You may be interested in the following discounted bundles. SAVE $$$!
•21st Century Math Projects -- All the Projects
Need an Entire Curriculum?
•21st Century Algebra 2 / Pre-Calculus –- the Entire Curriculum
•21st Century Geometry –- the Entire Curriculum
For more tips, tricks and ideas check out the Clark Creative Education Blog
And join our community where I post ideas, anecdotes, elaborations & every once in a while I pass out TPT gift cards! And jokes! I do jokes too!
