Incredible Edible Cell
With the new technology that is being accessible to students and instructors, presenting our lessons become more interesting and exciting.
Like this simple project of the Jell-O edible cell, it makes it easy to do different cell structures at a very cheap price. Using these props also makes it interesting for students to remember the anatomic cells. Candies are also good to use and after the lesson then students will have fun eating the goodies.
Angela, This is a marvelous idea. Thank you for sharing it. When the students get involved, they are the ones who remember the content.
Michele Deck
I have had my Anamtomy students creating cells as a take home project for the past few years. I encourage them to create the "cell" based on their interests and the organelles should represent the theme. EX. Student from Green Bay had a cell that represented the football team with Brett Favre as the nucleus, the rest were the support for the cell, very cool project. I have had some really wonderful projects and it helps the students remember the organelles and function.
Deborah, I'm glad to hear of your success with this approach. Good luck in all you do!
Michele Deck
This activity I have given as a group project. 3-4 students in a group. Each gets 3-4 organells to create in the cell. Must present to the class and talk about the functions of the organells. It's been a big hit and they remember!
Cynthia, this is a super idea! Thank you for sharing this approach with us.
Michele Deck
I have used this idea when teaching A&P however, I used a raw egg to demonstrate and used various other items to use for the other parts of the cells. I put it on the overhead projector so that the entire class could watch as we built the cell. No eating it of course but hey, treats could be given too just for fun.
Our skills lab instructor for Fundamentals I uses teaching strategies similar to this one. I feel it is an easy way to visualize course content and it makes learning fun. I am going to share this idea for sure.
Dorothea, this is a very clever way to teach this. It provides a memorable treat, too.
Michele Deck
I have used this learning method with my cosmetology students to teach 'Skin Structure/Layers of the Skin'. I use various ingredients to illustrate the layers of the skin such as jello or cool whip for the epidermis, blueberries for the dermis and sponge cake for the hypodermis. The students better understand the functions of the layers and enjoy the desert. This has come to be one of my favorite chapters.
DeeAnne, this is a wonderful idea, thank you for sharing this with us.
Michele Deck
During a classroom evaluation with one of our didactic instructors, I observed that she very effectively used a sack of candy that had been provided to each student to demonstrate priniciples of dental materials. For instance, long licorice sticks can be a little stretchy and can demonstrate tensile strength.
This was a review session and became both an interesting learning tool and a reward for making it through to the end of the term.
Georgia, using as many senses as possible makes this a great learning strategy.
Michele Deck
This is a great idea. Not only can the students identify the cells, they can eat the product too after the lesson!
William, I'm so glad that you have described your success with this creative and delicious idea.
Michele Deck
I used a similar approach with the layers of the skin. What we did was a derivation of my Aunt's Death by Chocalate layer cake. I picked up the ancillary supplies at the grocery store and the students assigned each ingredient to a corresponding layer of skin. They had to explain the differences in the layers, functions, micro and macro anatomy, etc. It was fun and a nice treat at the end of lecture! The best part about this is that I had to do no cooking as all of the respective parts are precooked so it lends itself to classroom construction.
Linda, this is a fast and easy adaptation.
Michele Deck
I use this idea with cupcakes and let them decorate the top. The students always remember the cell by the item they put on the cupcake!!!
I love this project.... I let my students use a round cake as the cell... different layers of icing as cell membranes and of course the different candies! the students really enjoy it and learn alot!
I love this idea. I have had students make cells out of play-doh, but what could be more fun and educational than playing with food. I can't wait to try it out.
