How Can You Make a Model of a Cell?
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to make a 3D model of a cell in order to better understand the parts and workings of a cell.
Designing a cell model using household objects can be a creative and engaging way for students to understand the structure and components of a cell. Here's a step-by-step guide they can follow:
1. Gather Materials:
Gather all the household objects and materials you'll need. These objects will represent the different organelles and structures within the cell.
2. Identify Cell Parts:
Review the different parts of a cell (organelles like nucleus, mitochondria, cytoplasm, cell membrane, etc.). Assign specific household objects to represent each part based on their shape or function.
- A small bead or marble could represent the nucleus.
- Pieces of pipe cleaners or wires can be shaped to represent the endoplasmic reticulum.
- Small candies or beads might be used for lysosomes.
- Play-doh or clay can also be used to represent structures
- Food items, like macaroni or beans can also represent structures
3. Prepare the Base:
The base can be cardboard (like a shoebox) or a styrofoam ball cut in half. You can be creative if you think other bases could work.
4. Labeling and Coloring:
Use paint, markers, or colored paper to paint or label the different parts of the cell. You could also attach a "key" that identifies each part.
Grading Rubric
| Cell Project Rubric | ||||
| Category | Scoring Criteria | Excellent (3 pts) |
Satisfactory (2 pts) |
Minimal (1 pt) |
| Craftsmanship | Model is creative, shows effort | |||
| The model is 3 dimensional | ||||
| Model stays together, not too messy or difficult to move around | ||||
| Cell Parts | Key, legend, or labeling is easy to use to identify parts on the model | |||
| Functions of cell parts included (accurate) - at least 5 inlcuded in model | ||||
| Appropriate material is used so that it looks like the cell part it is modeling | ||||
| Parts of organized within the cell in their appropriate places | ||||
| Written Word | Basic grammar, spelling on key and any other writing used in model | |||
Samples:
