Before the meeting:

1. Make laminated black quadrant papers for each Cub Scout. The lamination keeps the paper from soaking through and makes for easier clean-up. If you can’t laminate, use a sheet protector folded in half.
2. Print Substance Observations worksheet, one for each Cub Scout.
3. Gather supplies.
4. Set up meeting space to conduct experiment.

During the meeting:

1. Explain to Cub Scouts that forensic chemists do tests to identify unknown substances. For example, they might add a chemical to the substance to see how it changes. They will now get to going to analyze some white substances that look a lot alike to see how we can tell them apart like a forensic chemist.
2. Give each Cub Scout a black quadrant paper, Substance Observations worksheet, and a pencil.
3. Tell Cub Scouts that you will be putting a little bit of white powder on their black paper. Have them begin looking at the substances with their naked eye. Ask what difference do you see? What similarities do you see? Have them write down observations.
4. Give each Cub Scout a magnifying glass. Have them look at the substances again. Ask what difference do you see? What similarities do you see? Have them write down observations.
5. Have each Cub Scout feel each substance between their fingers. Ask what it feels like. What differences do you feel?
6. Have each Cub Scout smell each substance. Caution them not to get too close. Ask what does it smell like?
7. Give each Cub Scout a toothpick. Tell them to split each substance in half using the toothpick.
8. Give each Cub Scout an eyedropper/pipette.
9. Let each Cub Scout put a drop or two of water on each of their substances. Ask what happened? Did the appearance change? Was there a chemical reaction?
10. Let each Cub Scout put a drop or two of vinegar on each of their substances. Ask what happened? Did the appearance change? Was there a chemical reaction?
11. Have them make their best guess in identifying each of the four substances.