Cell Model Project

Every year I teach cells and organelles I look for new ways to introduce projects into the lesson, so students will take an in depth look at cells, so they can recall the organelles and their functions. This year I decided to have the students create cell models. I provided the students with directions and a rubric and the projects were turned in. You can find the directions and rubric in this post, if you would like to use it.

Cell Model Project

Project Assigned:  09/15/2014                                                       Project Due:   09/26/2014

Objective:  By making a model of the cell, the student will become aware of the various organelles and structures which make up a plant or animal cell.

Guidelines: 

-  Your cell must be a model of either a plant or an animal cell.  The model must accurately represent the chosen cell. Your plant cell must be rectangular or your animal cell must be circular. The model can be no larger than an 11X17 sheet of paper and no smaller than an 8X10 sheet of paper. If the model is drawn the highest possible grade is a 90. If the model is mostly 3-D, which means created by gluing appropriate items to paper them the highest possible grade is 100.

-  All organelles must be labeled clearly and must include a short description of their function in order to receive credit.

- The cell should be as accurate as possible. The cell parts should be located where they belong. For example, the nucleus should be bigger than the mitochondria or the chloroplasts should be green.

Materials you may consider using:

• Styrofoam
• Craft foam
• Beads
• Yarn
• Pipe Cleaners
• Felt
• Pom Pom balls
• Uncooked Pasta

Extra Credit: You may choose to turn the project in early, you can receive up to 10 points extra credit on your project. OR For 10 points of extra credit the cell model must be truly 3-D. This means it needs to have a front, back, and sides. It cannot be a piece of paper with things glued on it. 

Name:_______________________ Period: ______

Date:_________________  Number # __________

You will use the rubric to see what is required in order to receive a good grade on your project.  You will need to turn in your copy of the rubric when you turn in your project.

	25	20	15	10	Total
Neatness	The project is neat and shows that the students put effort into the project.	The project is mostly neat and shows that the students put some effort into the project.	The project is marginally neat and shows that the students put little effort into the project.	The project is not neat and shows that the students put no effort into the project.
Creativity	The project is 3-D and includes use of various materials.	The project is mostly 3-D and includes use of some various materials.	The project is not 3-D and includes use of very few various materials.	The project is not 3-D and includes use of no various materials.
Organelles Labeled	All relevant organelles are labeled: Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Vacuole, Cytoplasm, Cell Wall (P), Chloroplast (P)	Most relevant organelles are labeled: Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Vacuole, Cytoplasm, Cell Wall (P), Chloroplast (P)	Some relevant organelles are labeled: Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Vacuole, Cytoplasm, Cell Wall (P), Chloroplast (P)	Few relevant organelles are labeled: Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Vacuole, Cytoplasm, Cell Wall (P), Chloroplast (P)
Organelle functions included	A short function description is included with all of the relevant organelles listed above.	A short function description is included with most of the relevant organelles listed above.	A short function description is included with some of the relevant organelles listed above.	A short function description is included with few of the relevant organelles listed above.