Edible Cells

As an extension to our study in recent weeks of plant and animal cells, we built edible cells in Science Workshop today under the guidance of Ms. Frohman. After coating our sugar cookies with icing (cytoplasm), we added other similar features to both cells: a gum ball (nucleus), Twizzlers (cell membrane), Hot Tamales (mitochondria), a chocolate covered raisin (vacuole), and candy sprinkles (ribosomes).

We added additional distinguishing features to our plant cell, including green candy (chloroplasts) and Pretzel sticks (cell wall).

The students really enjoyed this hands-on experience. What a fun way to learn to distinguish between the two types of cells and to grasp all of the unfamiliar vocabulary related to cells as we prepare to transition our focus into learning about six major human body systems! Science is Fun!

Students, are you interested in a fun way to review for your Cells Assessment? Click this link for a virtual tour of cells: Click Me.

Series and Parallel Circuits

In Science we have been learning about electrical circuits. We built series and parallel circuits in a recent lab and explored removing a bulb from each to observe what would happen. We learned that in a series circuit, if one bulb burns out or is missing, then the circuit will open and none of the lights will remain lit. This is because there is only one path for electric current to flow with this kind of circuit. We also learned that any bulb in the path of a series circuit receives the same amount of electrical current. With parallel circuits, on the other hand, there is more than one path for electrical current to flow. Therefore, if one bulb burns out, the other bulbs will still remain lit. Check out our slideshow to see more pictures of this lab (in the right-hand column of our blog).