Cell Model Project
Consider all the different organelles that are found in a plant or animal cell, and the different
jobs they do. Each organelle looks very different, just as your organs look different because
they do different jobs.
For this project, you will make a model of a plant OR animal cell. This will be 3-D model but
can have a few flat cell parts drawn on cardboard, poster board, construction paper, or
blankpaper. You can tape sheets of paper together to make a poster if you’d like.
Models
When you create your model, BE CREATIVE! You may
use a variety of materials to represent each organelle. A
list of possible supplies are shown at right. The sky is
the limit! You can make edible models, or go artsy
models.
*If you make an edible model: DO NOT USE ANY
MATERIALS THAT WILL SPOIL OR GO BAD WHILE
YOUR MODEL IS SITTING IN THE CLASSROOM.
Models must:
 Identify what type of cell is being shown.
 Be creative and organized
 Show and label each organelle (name and short
job description)
 Use different materials to capture the different
shapes and textures of the different organelles.
Possible Model Materials:
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String/Yarn
Fabric
Pipe-cleaners
Macaroni
Beans
Beads
Pasta
Straws
Foods (non-spoiling)
Paper (cut in shapes)
toothpicks
These cell parts MUST be identified in your model:
Cell Membrane
Mitochondria
Ribosomes
Nucleus
Vacuole
Cytoplasm
Lysosomes
Chloroplasts (if plant cell)
Golgi Body
Cell Wall (if plant cell)
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Nucleolus
Nuclear Membrane
Cell Model Grading Rubric
Excellent
10
Satisfactory
8
Needs
Improvement
6
Labels are hard to
read, project is not
neatly done, more
effort needed
Unacceptable
5
Appearance
Project stands
out from the rest,
shows evidence
of considerable
effort. Labels are
typed or neatly
written, project is
organized, and
organelle chart/
table is attractive
and complete
Appearance is
neat, labels are
typed or neatly
written, project is
organized,
and shows
evidence
of good effort w
organelle
chart/table that is
neat and
complete.
Creativity
Cell model uses
materials that
reflects thought
and clearly
represents effort.
Project construct
is unique.
Good, creative
use of materials
that are often
used by other
students
Minimal creativity is
used; project is a
poster or other 2-D
model.
Lacks
creativity,
organelles are
identical
Details
All organelles &
cell parts are
accurately
detailed and
clearly
represented.
Actual numbers
of organelles are
represented.
Most organelles
&
cell parts are
accurately
detailed and
clearly
recognizable.
More detail needed
to recognize cell
parts. Some are not
recognizable.
Numbers of
organelles are
somewhat
representative of an
actual cell.
Parts of cell
are
generalized
“blobs” of
color.
Numbers of
organelles are
NOT
representative
of an actual
cell.
Labeled
Organelles
All listed
organelles are
correctly located
and referenced
on legend or
labeled on the
model.
Most organelles
are correctly
located and
labeled on the
model.
Cell Model
organelles are
lacking or incorrectly
labeled or
positioned.
Required
organelles are
missing,
incorrectly
label, or
incorrectly
identified.
Functions of
Organelles are
shown
Functions of all
organelles are
correctly
described in
detail.
Functions of all
organelles are
correctly
summarized.
Functions of some
organelles are
summarized with
minor errors.
Functions are
not clearly
explained or
contain
errors.
Appears
hastily built,
lack of effort
is
evident.