Cells are everywhere! They are in you, they are on you, they are you. Any biologist understands how important cells are. But, what about everyone else? How much does the general public understand about cells, what they do, and why they matter? And, how can you use your knowledge to educate them in entertaining and accessible ways?
Blueprint and Timeline
Driving Question:
How can we communicate about cells and their importance to multiple audiences in an informative and entertaining way?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
How can we communicate about cells and their importance to multiple audiences in an informative and entertaining way?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
- Creativity
- Formal writing
- Data collection and analysis
- Collaboration
- Bio.1.1.1 Summarize the structure and function of organelles in eukaryotic cells (including the nucleus, plasma membrane, cell wall, mitochondria, vacuoles, chloroplasts, and ribosomes) and ways that these organelles interact with each other to perform the function of the cell.
- Bio.1.1.2 Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of their general structures (plasma membrane and genetic material) and degree of complexity.
- Bio.1.2.1 Explain how homeostasis is maintained in the cell and within an organism in various environments (including temperature and pH).
- Bio.1.2.3 Explain how specific cell adaptations help cells survive in particular environments (focus on unicellular organisms).
Cell Anatomy Book
When you were young, you might have read a book like My Amazing Body, The Way We Work, First Human Body Encyclopedia, or even Inside Your Outside to learn about your body. These books are written to tell children what parts they have and what those parts do. But, what if a cell wanted to know about its parts?
Your task in this phase of the project is to create an anatomy book that will tell a cell all about its body - structure and function. It should be engaging, colorful, and informative, and should be geared towards upper elementary aged cells.
A high quality book will contain a thorough overview of cellular structures and processes, presented in a highly creative way, and communicated appropriately for 9-11 year old students. Illustrations should be high quality and engaging, and layout should be thoughtful. Of course, there should be no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics. After you submit your book, it will be donated to the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library in Clayton, where it will be listed in the catalog and made available for check out.
Your completed book should include:
You may complete this assignment on your own or with one partner. You will submit your completed book in class on March 24th.
Make sure you review the rubric carefully before beginning your work.
Your task in this phase of the project is to create an anatomy book that will tell a cell all about its body - structure and function. It should be engaging, colorful, and informative, and should be geared towards upper elementary aged cells.
A high quality book will contain a thorough overview of cellular structures and processes, presented in a highly creative way, and communicated appropriately for 9-11 year old students. Illustrations should be high quality and engaging, and layout should be thoughtful. Of course, there should be no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics. After you submit your book, it will be donated to the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library in Clayton, where it will be listed in the catalog and made available for check out.
Your completed book should include:
- Front and back cover, neatly & securely bound
- A creative/original title on the cover and cover page (the author's name should also be listed on both)
- A dedication page, located following cover page.
- About the author bio section in the back of the book including picture.
You may complete this assignment on your own or with one partner. You will submit your completed book in class on March 24th.
Make sure you review the rubric carefully before beginning your work.
Bacteria Lab
In this lab, you will be studying some of the simplest, and most common cells: bacteria. In order to do this, you will complete three tasks:
Use the documents below to assist you in completing these tasks.
- - Collect and culture samples of bacteria from JCC's campus.
- - Identify the bacteria you have grown.
- - Write a full, formal lab report detailing your findings in the lab.
Use the documents below to assist you in completing these tasks.