Older children can use a microscope to look at plant cells before they make the model.
Kids will easily remember all the parts of a plant cell when they construct an edible gelatin model with different types of candy representing the different parts of the cell. Use fruit and sugar-free gelatin for a more nutritious alternative. Young children can make a model that only includes the major parts of the cell. Older children can include all parts of the cell and draw a chart showing the names of the parts and the foods that represent them in the model.
Instructions
1. Open the plastic bag and place it in a medium bowl. The bag will be the cell membrane.
2. Pour the lemon gelatin into the medium bowl. Mix in 3/4 of a cup of boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Mix in 3/4 of a cup of cold water. Pour the gelatin into the plastic bag. The gelatin is the cell's cytoplasm.
3. Place the gelatin in the refrigerator for an hour until it's almost set. Add the plum to represent the nucleus. The skin will be the nuclear membrane and the pit will be the nucleolus. Add a chunk of melon for the vacuole. Use the cell diagram to determine the size and placement of the fruit.
4. Add small candies, or fruits and nuts, to represent the smaller parts of the cell. For example, candy sprinkles or sunflower seeds can represent the tiny ribosomes and blueberries, or small round candies can be the amyloplasts.
5. Seal the bag and return the model to the refrigerator until it's completely set.
Tags: parts cell, gelatin into, make model, medium bowl, Older children