How to Make a 5th Grade Animal Cell Model

When your child begins to study animal and plant life in 5th grade science class, he may be required to create a 3d model cell for a class project or science fair. Design a simple cell model featuring the five basic cell organelles in an animal cell with craft supplies like Styrofoam, paint and glue. The teacher will be appreciative of the fact that she can display the cell structures in class without attracting ants the way cell models constructed out of candy would. Follow these steps to make a 5th grade animal cell model.

Things You'll Need

• Styrofoam balls
• Knife or Styrofoam cutter
• Acrylic paint
• Clear glaze
• Toothpicks
• Kidney beans
• Pencil or wood skewer

Instructions

1. Make a 5th grade animal cell model by cutting a 6-inch Styrofoam ball in half with a sharp knife or wire Styrofoam cutter. Cover half of the ball with red acrylic paint-use a stencil brush to pounce paint onto the surface since brushing it with a regular paint brush won't get paint into the nooks of the material. You won't be using the other half of the ball.

2. Produce the cytoplasm by coating the flat surface of the 3d model cell with a layer of clear glaze. The glaze will mimic the look of the gel-like substance that fills the animal cell and holds the cell organelles. Add this layer just before you're ready to assemble the 5th grade animal cell model to ensure you can press the rest of the items into the ball before the glaze dries.

3. Use a knife to cut a 2-inch and a 1-inch Styrofoam ball to serve as the 3d model cell's nucleus and a vacuole. Paint the nucleus with blue acrylic paint and the vacuole with a tan shade. Attach them to the cell model with a toothpick.

4. Design mitochondrion by gluing dry kidney beans to the surface of the cell model.

5. Create the cell membrane by using a pencil or wood skewer to scrape away the top layer of painted Styrofoam around the entire circle, about 1/2-inch in from the side. This will create a white circle in the red paint to replicate the look of the membrane shown in the cell lesson plan.

Tips & Warnings

• Study the teacher's guidelines for building the cell model in the cell lesson plan to ensure you've followed the instructions for the proper placement and colors of the cell organelles.

• If you're using a heated wire Styrofoam cutter to trim the materials to make a 5th grade animal cell model, ensure you're using the tool in an open area since the melting Styrofoam will emit strong fumes.