A fun and easy project idea mechanical man got to participate in over the holidays was helping to create a cell model with his cousins who are also homeschooled.  He had a great time learning how to create a cell model with clay.

Materials you need to create a cell model with clay:

• FloraCraft Styrofoam (White or Green)
• Crayola Air Dry Clay 2.5 Lb Bucket, White
• Plaid Acrylic Paint, 2-Ounce, Best Selling Colors I
• Round tooth picks

This was a great hands on way to learn the parts of a cell. Your child can begin by making each part of the cell listed below out of clay. While still wet, insert a tooth pick half way into each part. Larger pieces such as the nucleus may need two tooth picks. Then insert each piece into the styrofoam in order to stay in place. Roll out clay, cut the membrane strip and press into the edge going around the styrofoam.

Items to include and label in your animal or plant cell model:

1. Nucleus
2. Golgi body
3. Mitochondria
4. Ribosomes
5. Rough ER ( Endoplasmic Reticulum )
6. Smooth ER
7. Chromatin
8. Plasma Membrane
9. Cytoplasm
10. Lysosomes
11. Centrioles
12. Cell Wall ( if plant cell)
13. Vacuole
14.  Nuclear Membrane

Once dry it’s time to paint your project and add lots of color! Finally, label each part on a piece of paper and insert labels with toothpicks.

Have you made cell models in your homeschool? What kind did you make?