CSI: Oregon Trail 
Step into a historical cold case where science meets the Oregon Trail. In Case of the Missing Wagon Train, students become forensic historians investigating the 1835 disappearance of the Halbrook family. Using diary entries, excavation data, and realistic scientific reports, they reconstruct the family’s final days and uncover the true hardships of westward migration.

Grade Level: 7–12
Duration: 1–2 class days
Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels: Analyze · Evaluate · Synthesize 

What’s Included:
Introduction Narrative – A modern discovery near the Platte River sparks the investigation.
13 Realistic Diary Entries – Follow the Halbrook family’s journey from hope to tragedy.
3 Researched Lab Reports – Authentic forensic, soil, and campfire analyses modeled after real archeological methods.
3-Page Student Lab Guide & Questions – Scaffolded worksheets to collect evidence and form hypotheses.
Teacher Guide & Answer Keys – Full instructional support and solutions for classroom use.

Perfect For:
Westward Expansion and Oregon Trail units
Cross-curricular lessons blending history and science
Inquiry-based learning and historical investigation activities
Students who thrive on problem-solving, evidence analysis, and storytelling in history