Identify cell organelles, explain how the structure of an organelle determines its function, and summarize how organelles work together to carry out the functions of the cell.

In this activity, students will work in collaborative groups to create 9M x 9M models of plant and animal cells. Class population can be split into 2 or 4 groups, with half the students constructing animal cells and the other half constructing plant cells. Students must organize and assign duties, provide materials for this activity, and write a written report. They will also give "Cell Tours" to other students and/or classroom guests.

Working in teams of three, students perform quantitative observational experiments on the motion of LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robotic vehicles powered by the stored potential energy of rubber bands. They experiment with different vehicle modifications (such as wheel type, payload, rubber band type and lubrication) and monitor the effects on vehicle performance. The main point of the activity, however, is for students to understand that through the manipulation of mechanics, a rubber band can be used in a rather non-traditional configuration to power a vehicle. In addition, this activity reinforces the idea that elastic energy can be stored as potential energy.

This is an interactive resource that allows students to practice labeling both plant and animal cells with immediate feedback. Please note you will need to enable flash on your browser to use this game

In this activity, students construct a model of a plant or animal cell using edible materials.

This online resource about nuclear energy, the methods of nuclear decay, and the concept of half-life includes text, interactive applets, and a hands-on simulation activity where students will collect and graph data.