Introduction

You are a microbiologist who has been chosen to work on a team of "cell builders".  Your team is called "Macro Cell Designers ".  Your local school has asked for a team of "Cell Builders" to design a giant animal cell model for their sixth graders. This cell and the accompanying presentation will help the students understand the cell's function in the human body.

You are competing with other teams of microbiologists to design and construct a model of an animal cell.  In presenting your project you will also be describing the function of your cell and its organelles.  In addition,  you will describe the cells place in the hierarchy ( which tissue, organ and system it belongs to).  This model will hang from the ceiling and all its parts will be visible to anyone looking up at it.  You may use powerpoint or any other visual media for your presentation.

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RESEARCH GUIDELINES

1.  Each group will consist of two to three students. Each student will do their own
    research.
2.  Each group will be given  an organelle to research. 

3.  Within each group, each student will assume a role.  Below are the roles and their 
     responsibilities.  Read the chart below and decide who will assume which role.
 
 

Researcher	Keeps group on task, facilitates group discussion, makes sure each member carries out their responsibilities.
Assistant Researcher	Ensures pertinent information is recorded and minimum  required resources are used.
Intern	Monitors source and picture lists .  Makes sure all resources are returned to their proper place.

4.  Before starting your research, meet with your group and go over the information 
     you are required to research.  The information is listed on the following chart. 
     You will want to print out one copy for each person in your group.  Please have one 
     person print out the copies.  Fill in information you already know. 
 

CLICK ON ICON FOR RESEARCH CHART

5.  For your research you are to use the links given in the following chart for your 
     organelle.  You must use the links listed under required links.  Then you must use at 
     least two links listed under optional links.  You are also to use at least  two books 
     found on the front shelf, or you may use books from home or the library.  You may 
     use other resources, such as further resources from the internet, or interview a 
     scientist or medical person about your organelle.

6.  Each person must submit a list of sources you personally reviewed and used or
     persons you interviewed.

7.  You will need to locate and print pictures of your organelle.  As a group you will
    need to discuss which pictures to print out.  Only one copy of each picture per group.
    Make a list of pictures you find so you may return to those pictures after you have 
    completed your research and then make a decision on which pictures to use.

8.  Start your research and enjoy. 
 
 

CLICK	REQUIRED LINKS - JUST CLICK ON THE ICON
	History of Microscopes and Cell Discovery
	Cells Alive - Look at History of Microscopes and Cell Model
	Micro Angela - Great Pictures of Cells
	Organelles and Cells
	Biology For Kids
	What Is A Cell?
	Safari Science
CLICK	OPTIONAL LINKS - MUST USE TWO
	Cell Basics
	Eureka Science - Animated
	Basic Lessons On Cells - Takes A Cell Apart
	Animal Cells

 

CELL MODEL 

The cell membrane will be made of clear plastic drop cloth.  Your team, "Macro Cell Designers", will be given two sheets of plastic drop cloth measuring approximately 6 ft. by 10 ft.  The finished cell model will measure 4 ft. by 8 ft.  It will hang from the ceiling.  The organelles will be visible so someone looking up at the model will be able to see them.

You as "Macro Cell Designers" are to design, construct and hang the cell model.  Therefore you will need to make decisions as a whole team.  Each person will be assume a role on the team.  The teacher will decide how those roles will be determined.  The following chart identifies and describes each role of the team.  These roles are separate from your roles in your research group.  Some of the roles in the chart relate to the presentation part of the project.

Project Manager	Keeps team on task, facilitates team discussion, makes sure each member carries out their responsibilities. Makes final team decisions after discussions.
Assistant Project Manager	Oversees arrangement and attachment of organelles.
Assistant Project Manager	Oversees cutting of cell membrane and hanging of cell.
Project Designer	Cut out cell membrane Oversees development of cell organelles to make sure they will fit and are approximate shape and relative size.  Facilitates discussion how to attach organelles.
Purchasing Agent - 2	Make sure materials are brought in on time
Graphics Designer	In charge of developing graphics for  presentation.
Assistant Graphic Designer - 2	Assists with graphics for presentation.
Media Producer	Oversees all media production, facilitates others in discussion on production
Media Assistant - 2	Assist with all equipment and supplies for presentation
Cell Technician - 4	sew cell membrane
Cell Hangers - 4	hangs cell on ceiling
Consultants - 3	responsible for gathering additional information or clarifying information
Editors - 3	Edits all work produced

1.  You will meet with your research group to develop your model of your organelle to 
     attach to the drop cloth.

2.  You can use make a template of your organelle and put it on the template of the cell 
     membrane to make sure of the appropriate size.  Depending on your organelle, you 
     may have to make more than one model .

3.  After deciding what size and shape your organelle should be, then you need to 
    determine what materials you will need to construct your organelle.  Remember - 
    your organelle can not be heavy because it will be hanging from the ceiling and it 
    must be able to be attached to the cell membrane.

4.  You must supply the materials need and then construct your organelle.  Make sure 
     you meet the deadline set by the Project Manager.
 

PRESENTATION 
 

1.  Your presentation will use visual media.  You may use the following visual media:

• powerpoint
• hyper studio
• transparencies
• diagrams
• videos

• organelles' names
• organelles' functions
• name of organelles that work with your organelle
• brief history of the microscope
• brief summary of the contributions of Leeuwenhoek and Hooke of cells
• type of cell
• cell's function
• tissue and function
• organ and function
• system and function
• pictures of cell and organelles

3.  You will be working in your research groups making decisions about what and how 
     to present your information.

4.  Then you will work with the whole team to design and develop the presentation.
 

PAPER REQUIREMENTS 
 

1.  Each one of you will write a paper about your research.  This is your own work  Your paper must be in paragraph format and contain the following information in an organized manner:
 

• Name of research members
• Name of type of cell and its function
• Name of organelle and its function
• Describe the shape of the organelle, its approximate location in the cell.
• Name of the organelles your organelle  works with and attached to
• Describe how you made the organelle and the materials you used.
• Defend your use of the materials for your organelle and how you attached your organelle to the cell.
• Explain the similarities and differences between the cell model and the real cell.
• Describe the tissue, organ and system your cell belongs to and their functions.
• Describe what you liked about this project and explain why.
• Describe what you did not like about this project and explain why.
• Pretend you are going to go through this project again.  State what organelle you would choose and why.  Explain what you would change about the project and why.
• Answer the question; What does my background on this webquest represent and why would I have chosen this to be my background?
• You must use Inspiration to organize your paper.

   Click icon to get to Inspiration.

PAPER FORMAT 
 

The following describes what must be turned in when you turn in your paper.  It also describes the order the paper should be put together:
 

• Top right corner of paper - put your name, date , class period
• Top line - names of everybody in your research group.
• The rest of the paper will be in paragraph format
• Staple the following papers in the following order:
 
• On bottom - Source list
• Picture list
• Completed chart from research
• Inspiration paper
• Top -Final copy of paper

The whole project is worth 200 points and will distributed as follows:
 

• Research - 30 
• Cell Model - 60
• Presentation - 60
• Paper - 30
• Group Work (Cooperation) - 20

You have experienced the processes of a design project.  At the same time you have learned a great deal about the organelles and functioning of animal cells.  In building this model cell you were involved in cooperative and active learning.  You have developed more skills in problem solving, which is very important to scientists.  You are on the road to becoming a scientist.  With these newly acquired skills, you will be applying them in science class to help you solve future problems.  Get ready for an exciting journey into the Human Body during this school year.

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