How to Do Fingerprinting Science

Here is our activity in a nutshell

This fingerprint science activity is one of my students' favorite activities of the year. It is easy to do and can lead to several other great activities such as classifying, sorting and family involvement.

Things You'll Need

• Scotch tape
• The fingerprint handout (see Resources below)

Instructions

1. 

   Teach the kids about the 3 different types of fingerprints: loop (circle), whorl (spiral) and arc or arch (roller coaster shaped)

2. 

   Give them the handout and have them color in the "ink pad" with a regular pencil.

3. 

   Have them rub (smudge) their finger in the ink pad getting their finger nice and dirty. The dirtier the finger, the better the fingerprint will come out.

4. 

   Put a piece of clear tape on their finger.

5. 

   Place the tape on the paper and the fingerprint becomes perfectly visible.

6. Have them circle the type of fingerprint (loop, whorl or arch) on each finger.

7. Send home the handout and have the kids fingerprint their parents. They love this part of the activity!