Oh No! We Shrunk Our Cells.

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 475

The grant providing Shrinky Dinks for creating cell models had a significant impact on my 7th-grade science classroom, as well as the classrooms of three other teachers. The Shrinky Dinks allowed students to create visually detailed, three-dimensional representations of a cell’s organelles and structure, providing a hands-on, engaging learning experience that enhanced their understanding of cell biology.

Students in my class and the other three classrooms were able to draw different parts of the cell onto the Shrinky Dink sheets, which shrank significantly when heated, resulting in compact and precise models. The students loved watching the plastic shrink, which added an element of excitement and wonder to the activity, making the learning experience more memorable. While the smell of the plastic shrinking was not particularly pleasant, it was completely safe for the students and did not detract from their enjoyment of the project (nor did it set off any fire alarms). This process helped students visualize and identify the various organelles within a cell, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. By creating their own models, students gained a deeper understanding of each component’s role and structure within the cell.

The hands-on nature of this project allowed for a more interactive learning experience, encouraging creativity while reinforcing scientific concepts. As students carefully drew and assembled their models, they not only practiced their knowledge of cell structure but also developed critical thinking and fine motor skills. The tangible, three-dimensional models provided a lasting visual reference for students, allowing them to see how the parts of a cell fit together and how each part functions.

This project was particularly beneficial for visual and kinesthetic learners, offering them a unique way to engage with and retain the material. It allowed students to interact with abstract concepts in a concrete way, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective. Overall, the Shrinky Dinks grant significantly enriched the learning experience in my classroom and those of the other teachers involved, fostering a deeper understanding of cells and their functions while encouraging creativity and hands-on engagement.