IS 141Q
8th Grade Living Environment
Name: ________________________
Ms. Somma
“Cells Alive!” Project
The cell is a dynamic, 3 dimensional unit that is the basis of all living things. Although cells differ
in shape and size; all cells share many similar organelles and characteristics. The interior of a cell is a
very active place where organic molecules are being synthesized and destroyed, transported to where
they are needed, and function in specific ways to keep cells alive. Pictures can provide a better
understanding of cell function, but they fail to bring the cells “alive!”
In this project, it is your task to show how cells are unique and dynamic worlds in themselves,
with 3-dimensional shapes. You must accomplish this individually by doing independent research on cell
organelles and function, and you will bring together what you have learned by:
1) Creating a 3-dimesional model of a plant/animal cell, OR
2) Creating a thematic cell “magazine” or “newspaper” based on the organelles of the cell.
A. 3-D Model (Plant or Animal)
Criteria:
 Three-dimensional (drawings will NOT be accepted)
 Identification key of the organelles
 Any type of materials may be used, as long as it is NOT perishable
B. Thematic Cell Magazine or Booklet
You will use the knowledge that you have gained from your research to produce a thematic cell
magazine, booklet or newspaper. The project should be informative, well organized, artistic, and most
importantly, IMAGINATIVE. For each of the essential cell organelles, write creative articles or news
stories based on the function and/or structure of the organelle. BE CREATIVE!
Plant Cell Organelles
1. Cell Wall
2. Cell Membrane
3. Large, Central Vacuole
4. Chloroplast
5. Nucleus
6. Nucleolus
7. DNA
8. Nuclear Envelope
9. Ribosome
10. Smooth E.R.
11. Rough E.R.
12. Vesicles
13. Golgi bodies
14. Mitochondria
15. Cytoplasm
Animal Cell Organelles
1. Nucleus
2. Nucleolus
3. DNA
4. Lysosome
5. Ribosome
6. Smooth E.R.
7. Rough E.R.
8. Vesicles
9. Small vacuoles
10. Cell Membrane
11. Mitochondria
12. Golgi bodies
13. Cytoplasm
14. Nuclear envelope
CHECK LIST
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IS 141Q
8th Grade Living Environment
Name: ________________________
Ms. Somma
“Cells Alive!” Project Rubric
A rubric is a set of criteria used to evaluate the quality of an assignment. Rubrics are extremely useful
since they outline the expectations you are expected to meet and allow student performance to be
graded accurately and fairly.
Look over the rubric before you turn in your completed project to make sure that you are meeting the
requirements of each category and have included all the required organelles!
Exceeding
CATEGORY
Standards:
25 Points
Creative and
unique materials
were selected and
Construction creatively modified
& Use of
in ways that made
Materials
them even better.
Creative and
unique materials
were selected and
there was an
attempt at creative
modification to
make them even
better.
Approaching
Standards:
15 Points
Appropriate
materials were
selected and
organelles’
structure and
function were
somewhat
represented.
Each organelle is a
characteristic size
and shape that
represents the
organelle’s
Organelles structure and
Size & Shape function.
1-2 organelles are
designed
inappropriately or
may have
disproportionate
shapes. OR 1-2
organelles may be
missing from model
or booklet.
3-6 organelles are
designed
inappropriately or
may have
disproportionate
shapes. OR 3-6
organelles are
missing from the
model or booklet.
Student gave a
detailed
presentation of the
organelles
represented in
Presentation their booklet and
on their model.
Students are able
to explain why they
chose the materials
used.
Good presentation
that displays the
student researched
the correct
structure and
function of the
organelles
researched.
Poor presentation
skills, however
student mentioned
a few functions of
the organelle. Poor
reasons for
choosing materials.
Meeting Standards:
20 Points
TOTAL POINTS: _______________ / 75
Below standards:
10 Points
Inappropriate
materials were
selected and
contributed to a
product that did
not represent
structure and
function of
organelles.
Construction
appears careless or
haphazard. Many
details need
refinement for a
strong or attractive
product. More then
7 organelles are
missing or shown
with incorrect
structure and
functions.
Poor presentation,
research was
poorly done and no
reason is given for
materials chosen.