When students see a diagram of an animal cell for the first time, they are typically surprised by all the activity inside the cell. A cell seems so tiny, yet many moving parts are inside, each with its own tasks. All these jobs benefit the whole cell. These smaller parts are called organelles, like the cells' organs. The organelles work together to keep the cell healthy by bringing in nutrients, expelling waste, releasing energy, making proteins, and copying DNA for replication.

The goal of this game is for the students to achieve cellular mitosis successfully. They are racing to make energy so they can split chromosomes. Through visualization and movement, this game will help the students understand how organelles work together inside the cell and the process of cellular mitosis.

Materials: 

·      Large playing area (gym or field)

·      Pieces of paper

·      Roll of string

·      Scissors

·      Eye dropper bottles

·      Legos or colored blocks

o   Black, white, and red pieces

·      Tape rolls

·      Rulers

·      Water cups

·      Cones or rubber disc dots

·      Hula-hoops

o   If possible, a black, white, and red hoop. Otherwise, any neutral color would also be acceptable.

·      At least two handmade charts or posters that have the following information (optional but recommended)

o   Molecules

§  Glucose is C6H12O6

§  The oxygen molecule is 02

§  Water is H2O

§  Carbon dioxide is CO2

o   Color Key for building blocks

§  Black is carbon

§  White is hydrogen

§  Red is oxygen

The minimum number of students needed: You can play this game with as few as four students and have them race against the clock. Having two teams race against each other would need a minimum of eight students. Obviously, the more students you have, the more teams you can field. It will be a matter of having enough supplies if you have a large class.

Age: Possibly upper elementary, but undoubtedly middle school