Expectations for the Cell Cycle Project
You will be making a presentation to creatively explain a complicated topic in biology. The topic
of the project is going to be on the cell cycle. It is expected that your project includes high school level
information, but is presented in a way that is fun, interesting, and easy to understand for a 7th grader.
The project will be due first thing on Friday, 11/20/15. There will be one 55 minute period and
two 85 minute periods that will serve as ‘work days’, any additional time that’s needed will be up to you.
In addition to the final product, every project should have a rough draft or outline that is turned in for
approval before you begin the final effort.
Projects can include but are not limited to: Poster, Shadow Box, Newscast, Play, Opera, Rap,
Interpretative dance, Models or anything else if approved by the teacher. Be creative!
If you are stumped, here are some questions that will help get you started. These questions
should be answered in one form or another in your presentation.
What is the cell cycle?
What is the point of the cell cycle?
What are chromosomes?
What are the parts of chromosomes?
What steps are there in the cell cycle?
What are G1, S, G2, and M phase?
What is interphase?
What two parts make up the M phase?
What is mitosis?
What are the steps of mitosis?
What are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase?
What is happening to chromosomes in these steps?
What are other cell parts doing (spindle fibers, nuclear envelope, centrioles, misc. organelles)?
What is cytokinesis?
Do not simply turn in a large piece of paper that has the answers to the above questions. This will
undoubtedly result in a poor grade. Be creative in how you present your information. Make a project
that you would be interested in.
Cell Cycle Project Rubric
Due first thing on Friday, 11/20/15
Attribute
Interphase
G1 phase
S phase
G2 phase
M phase
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Cytokinesis
Excellent
2 pts
The step is explained in
appropriate detail.
Satisfactory
1 pt
The step is defined but
not explained.
Poor
0 pt
The step is missing or
incomplete.
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2 pts
The step is explained in
appropriate detail.
Chromosomal movement
is detailed. Includes
description of other cell
parts.
1 pt
The step is defined but
not explained.
Chromosomal
movement and/or other
details are missing.
Score
/2
/2
/2
/2
/2
0 pts
Large parts of the step are
missing or absent.
/2
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Neatness/Quality
5 pts
The project is neat and
professional. It would not
look out of place in
science classroom. The
presentation has been
well practiced.
3 pts
The project is difficult to
follow. Mistakes and
sloppy work distract
from the project. The
presentation has been
rehearsed a few times.
Organization
5 pts
The project is organized.
Ideas and concepts
transition smoothly.
3 pts
The project is mostly
organized. There are a
few areas that are hard
to follow.
0 pts
The project is
unacceptably messy. The
information in the project
is unreadable and/or
mistakes are major
distractors. My 3 year old
son could explain it better.
0 pts
The project is a random
collection of factoids.
There is no discernable
organization. You kill the
brain cells of your
audience.
/2
/2
/2
/2
/5
/5
Total:
/30
Notes: