Cell “City” Analogies Project
This project is due on . NO EXEPTIONS!
The cell is the basic unit of structure and function for all living things, and it possesses all of the characteristics of life. Each component of a cell has a specific function that is necessary for the successful operation of that cell. It can be compared to a city or community, with each organelle important to the operation of the entire community. In this activity, you must make an analogy between the parts of a cell and the parts of a zoo, theme park, school, or other creative location (use your imagination!). Each part of your analogy must correspond to a part of the cell based upon the function of that organelle.
In order to complete this project you need to decide which format that you would like to
display your analogies using. You have three formats to choose from: a story, a poster,
or a PowerPoint presentation. For all three of the formats you must include at least 10 analogies in the approved format.
Requirements for PowerPoint:
1. You must have a minimum of 12 slides (the 1st slide will be the introduction slide).
2. Slide 2 must have a picture of a cell (plant or animal – which are you using?)
3. The next 10 slides will include one analogy per slide.
4. Each one must include a picture of the object (town hall) and the written analogy.
Requirement for Poster:
1. Must include a drawing or print out of the type of cell you are using for your project in the center of your poster board.
2. Each picture (town hall) that you are using in your project must be labeled the name of the organelle it corresponds to.
3. The analogy (proper format – see below) must also be typed/ written next to the picture.
Requirement for Story:
1. Using the Widget Analogy Story example, write your own original story that describes the role of at least 10 cell parts in your approved theme.
2. At the bottom of the story you must include a list of the cell parts that you are using and have them matched up with the appropriate object (like town hall).
3. You must include the analogy (written in proper format – see below) next to list.
5. The story must contain a minimum of twelve sentences using appropriate grammar and word usage.
6. The story must be typed.
7. At the top of your story you must include two pictures or images; one that represents the overall theme of your story and one of the correct type of cell (plant or animal)
Examples of approved analogy format:
· The nucleus is like town hall because it controls and coordinates activities of the city, just like the nucleus is the control center of a cell.
· The mitochondrion is like a power plant because it provides electricity for the city just like the mitochondrion provides energy for all cell activities.
Possible Analogies for a City:
City Hall / Restaurant / Security GatesWater Storage Tank / Power plant / UPS
City dump/ Waste Disposal / Wall around the City / Highway or Subway Tunnels
Assembly Line / Filing Cabinet / The air or space
Grading rubric:
A – 36-40 pts
B – 32-35 pts
C – 28–31 pts
D – 24-27 pts
F – 0-23 pts
PowerPoint Rubric Poster Rubric Story Rubric
30 Points / 10 x 3pts each Appropriate match of cell part to analogy5 Points / Appropriate Pictures and format for analogies
3 Points / Overall Presentation, creativity and neatness
2 points / Correct Picture of Plant/Animal Cell
30 Points / 10 x 3pts Appropriate match of cell part to analogy
2 Points / Correct Picture of Plant/Animal Cell
3 Points / Pictures for each analogy
2 Points / Proper format for the analogies
3 Points / Overall Presentation, creativity and neatness
30 Points / 10 x 3pts Appropriate match of cell part to analogy
2 Points / Correct Picture of Plant/Animal Cell
3 Points / Overall Presentation, creativity and neatness
3 Points / Appropriate image for analogy
2 Points / Proper format for the analogies