Law and Morality
	Expert Testimony - An Exercise in Authentic Assessment The Scientist in the Witness Box - Deborah Crough, Saddleback High School
	This unit is the product of three years of classroom "trials" in the area of Forensic Science and my participation in the UCI-Santa Ana Teachers Institute. The activities and investigations have been student driven. The high level of enthusiasm and learning by my students has resulted in a new course and introductory units in our integrated classes. Students will practice scientific method and science practices in an area that allows for practical application. The activities included have been selected for their familiarity and flexibility. Materials required are easy to obtain and are not costly. Because of the nature of these cooperative activities, students will identify with a real-world model of the criminalist as an expert witness in a court of law. This 2- week unit is appropriate for an integrated science course at the 9th or 10th grade level. Although teachers will use a non-traditional topic to teach traditional science theory, the concepts introduced are based on the national standards. Background in general principles of physics and biology are needed to "frontload" some of the activities. Internet access would greatly enhance the research portion of this unit but is not a necessity. The unit is designed to be cross-curricular &emdash; incorporating Language Arts and Mathematics and Art.