Cells, Cells, Cells: A Makerspace and Graffiti Wall Bonanza!

Cells, as microscopic as they are, are quite a sight to behold. Every organelle a different shape and design. Each with a uniqueness that identifies it. Every year I have students create organelles out of play-doh and then research their function and structure. Then each group presents a little tidbit on their organelle and puts it in the large cell model we create as a class. By the end of the day we have five amazing cells.

Each group also conducted an 'interview' with the organelle (they made a video or recorded a podcast.) They also created a magazine spread all about their organelle (they were given a rubric of information that had to be created.) Lastly, they drew a cartoon of their organelle on our graffiti wall.

It is a fun week of discovery and conversation. They really can visualize and personify each organelle and this helps them see the cell as both individual parts and a whole. This is the research, vocabulary part of the cells unit- now we get to test osmosis with gummy bears, check out some pond water and use eggs as cells and test how different liquids affect the cell membrane and cytoplasm. Fun times ahead.