This week, one of our Year 4 classes had the opportunity to visit Liverpool Life Sciences UTC at the CUC (Contemporary Urban Centre) for a very exciting enrichment activity called the Cookie Jar Crime Scene.
Students became detectives as they rotated through four different stations, learning about the fascinating science behind collecting and analysing evidence.
Fingerprint Investigations
The pupils discovered that there are two separate methods for working with fingerprints.
Taking a fingerprint
This was relatively straightforward, students used inkpads and paper to press their fingers down, leaving a clear print.
Each student was able to take a copy of their prints home and even had one turned into a fingerprint keyring!
Dusting for prints
This was a little trickier... the children learnt that oils on our skin leave residue on smooth surfaces.
By pressing their hand or footprint onto acetate sheets, then lightly brushing magnetic fingerprint powder over the surface with special magnet brushes, the details of their prints became visible.
Shoeprint Science
Our investigators also explored two different methods of taking shoeprints.
Oily sponge method
Students pressed the soles of their shoes into a sponge coated with oils, then onto acetate. They revealed the prints by dusting with magnetic powder, just like with fingerprints.
Inkless system
This method was especially clever. Shoes were pressed onto a special pad with oils, then onto treated paper that revealed a clear print without leaving ink behind.
These prints could then be measured and compared to samples, just like in a real investigation!
Solving the Mystery
To finish, the children brought all of their new skills together, reviewing the evidence and working out which suspect had stolen the cookies.
Their teamwork, problem-solving, and enthusiasm were fantastic. It was a joy to see them so engaged in science and discovery.
We are so proud of how brilliantly our Year 4 class represented New Park Primary School during this visit.
It was a fun, inspiring day and we can’t wait for our other Year 4 class to enjoy the activity after the October half-term!
If you’d like to find out more about the fantastic work going on at Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, you can visit their website here.