3D Modeling

Our school recently received grant funding for a 3D printer, and I wanted to find a way to get all of my students using it. We were in the middle of our DNA unit, so I decided to challenge each student to design a 3D model of the DNA molecule.

After a quick introduction to TinkerCad tools, the students were working. The engagement and excitement were high. Students helped one another find, move, and manipulate shapes to create unique models of DNA. Many students continued on in their own time to create nameplates, small toys, and even an entire bunny village in TinkerCad!

                     

First Day of School - Breakout Game Challenge

As a teacher, I have always struggled with what to plan for the first day of school. I want to do something fun, to get the students excited about my class. I want to do something that gets students moving and working together, since they will do that a lot during class this year. And I also want to do something related to the syllabus and classroom expectations. But expectations can be boring and tedious. And unstructured games can be considered a waste of time by administrators.

This year, I created a breakout game for the first day of classes. I was unsure how the students would respond, but they LOVED it. All my students were engaged, excited about the class, and referring to the class syllabus.

After a quick introduction to me and the game, students were put in groups and given this first clue. The students needed to read through the syllabus to fill in each blank. Students then use the highlighted letters to create a short URL.

When typed into the computer, the short URL leads to a cypher, which students can use to decode clue two. Clue two asks them to take one envelope from the grab a lab table.

In the envelope, students will find clue 3. When they unscramble the letters, they find the four materials that must be brought to class every day.

When they find the correct 3 digit code, this opens a box on the front table containing puzzle pieces and clue four. When they assemble the pieces, they see four pictures of my summer adventures.

On the back, they see the shape, matching my favorite color.

Check out my Teachers Pay Teachers page to download this FREE game. It is fully editable, so you can make it work for your own classroom.

Or check out my blog post Using Breakouts in the Science Classroom  to see other ways I use breakouts in my classroom.

Modeling DNA Replication

A few years ago, I decided that I really wanted to focus on ensuring that my students understood the process of DNA replication. While diagrams and videos were available online, I wanted the students to actually interact with the process. I have used this modeling activity with my middle school students for several years with great success, and I hope your students enjoy it too.

Here, you see students working together to apply the base pair rule as they model DNA replication.

After working with the model in a small group, students put what they have learned into their notes, in words and pictures.

I created these manipulatives out of simple craft foam so they last from year to year. Be sure to create helicase and DNA polymerase as well.

The models help students understand that base pair rule and the steps of DNA replication, and can even be extended to teach RNA and transcription. 

Using Breakouts in the Science Classroom

Are your students tired of the same old study guides and review games? Looking for an activity that requires students to apply what they have learned while also building communication skills and perseverance? Need a fun way to introduce a unit and review prior knowledge? Try a breakout!

I often visit escape rooms with my friends. As a teacher, I always thought it would be fun to bring this experience to my students. How fun would it be to watch my students solve puzzles and work together in this way? After trying a few I found online, I began to develop unique breakout experiences, modifying puzzles I saw in real escape rooms, to help my students master the Science concepts we study.

In this image, you see a group of students fully engaged in their Chemistry Breakout. The students must apply their knowledge of the periodic table and the Bohr model of the atom in order to solve the puzzles, find the code, and open the box.

In this image, you see students working together on a word search. First, the students answer questions about DNA, then they find those answers in a word search. When they are done, the word search reveals a number code that helps them open the next lock.

My students love breakout days. One student asked if we could do one every week! While participating in the game, students get so caught up in the competition and puzzles that they forget they are learning.






Interested in trying a breakout game in your classroom? Click the links to find the Atoms and Periodic Table Breakout Game or the DNA Breakout Game on my Teachers Pay Teachers page.