Integrated Subject: Biology

Hillary Freeman, 8th grade Science teacher, used the Design Thinking process to help her students learn about cell membranes. As part of the 8th graders' cell membrane immersion curriculum, Hillary and Kim worked with the students in the Innovation Lab to help them understand and appreciate the form, design, and function of the cell (and organelle) membrane.

Students had several opportunities to hone their observational skills. They also spent time evaluating the features of a wide variety of filters (Research/Deep Dive - Observe).
Next each group was handed three toys and was given the challenge of creating a barrier that would let one toy in, but not out; let one toy out, but not in, and allow one toy to move in both directions. Students asked clarifying questions, brainstormed, and built prototypes (Generating Ideas and Prototyping Cycle).

An eighth grader wrote,"When my partners and I were creating the cell membrane [barrier] imitation project, we met a few challenges when we wanted to make a contraption that used popsicle sticks to allow a bouncy cube to go in and out of the box. The problem was that the popsicle sticks were constantly breaking. A few minutes later, we were experimenting with the broken popsicle sticks to see if they could be of any assistance, and, to our great delight, they really helped. We found out what we could do with them to make the spiky ball that goes in but not out do its job. The broken popsicle stick saved the day! I really like the Innovation Lab because it brings people back to
their old and rusty unused LEGO skills, where one can be very imaginative and innovative" (Share & Reflect).