Task 3: Slimy Cells!

Context:
This is Task 3 (Lesson 3) of four tasks (lessons) of an overall project of “Escaping 7th Grade Science Room”
This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours
*You may shorten each lesson/task to have the “Escape Room” one day/period.
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
An emphasis on all living things are made of
cells, cells come from existing cells, and cells are the basic structural and functional unit of all living things.
Facilitate student reflection the phenomena of living things.
Students will construct a 3D model of both an animal cell and human cell
List of Materials:

Pre-made slime –
green (for plant cell) and
another color for each group
-OR-
Play-doh or modeling clay – green (for plant cell) and another color for each group

Small containers – mint tins, small plastic bowls, shallow cups, etc. for each group and each plant and animal cell

Enough of the following for both an animal and plant cell for each group:
Glue
Scissors
Toothpicks

Plant Cell Diagram
PlantCellLabel.pdf
PlantCellChartColor.pdf

Animal Cell Diagram
AnimalCellLabel.pdf


Task Card
SlimyCellsTaskCard.docx


Various items to represent parts of the cell can include:
Buttons
Glitter/confetti
Small fuzzy pom-poms
Yarn/string
Small Styrofoam balls
Ribbons
Felt pieces
Pipe cleaners
foam pieces
large confetti
pony beads
pom-pom balls
wooden beads
Styrofoam peanuts
paper clips
tin foil
saran wrap
bubble wrap
aquarium gravel
plastic drinking straws
aquarium tubing
yarn
ribbon
Christmas tinsel
plastic Easter eggs
other small objects or materials to act as organelles
Student’s will:
Build three dimensional scale models of both plant and animal cells
Draw and label a picture of plant and animal cells.
Recognize that all living things are made of cells.
Collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete an engineering design challenge