A Makerspace: How to Incorporate it into Your Classroom: Giant Cells

The makerspace in my room is used for many different things. This particular task- a group effort, was designed to make a giant cell. Each table was given an organelle. They had to research what that organelle did in the cell and create a simple model out of play-doh or any other makerspace material. They completed this task in a group of 3-4. 

This was an explore activity after students had begun writing their children's books on cells. Students had already created analogies for each of the organelles, drawn and labelled both plant and animal cells, and were quizzed on the different types of cells including prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

The makerspace in my classroom is stocked with every art supply imaginable from glue, paper, buttons and of course various colors of play-doh. I set out various colors and they chose what colors to make each organelle. They also had a choice of anything in the makerspace. I also provided the giant paper, I went to the supply room and tore off giant butcher paper in various colors.


This was a three-part assignment. Each was 20 minutes in a 50 minute class period. Each day after the twenty minutes students worked on their children's books. Day one students researched their organelle and determined what it would be made of and look like. Day two students went to the makerspace chose their construction materials and created their organelle. Day three they each shared their organelle with the class, wrote their description of both structure and function on the paper and set their organelle in the class giant cell.

I walked around and talked to the students as they were constructing their model to just make sure they were on the right track. But, I offered no assistance in the research, design or creation of the mini-project. Feedback was immediate, after they shared with the class I asked them why they designed the organelle the way they did and offered constructive positive feedback.

In this type of project, it is all in class, at designated times, and collaborative. This was the first large makerspace activity my students have done this year. I had already modeled proper behavior, clean-up procedures, and collaborative group responsibilities. My students are up and about all the time. The community goals we have set in place have designed a classroom of respect and every student completed the task and shared their designs. The lesson was engaging because they were given a simple task and the choice of design and creation was completely by choice.

At the end as a class we discussed how all the organelles work together as a whole, why cells are so important and why making models is often the best way to study science, especially microscopic cells.