Q&A for How to Make a Model Cell

Its a ball that is made of white stuff called Styrofoam. If you don't know what it is, go to to your nearest craft store, like Michael's, and ask for a Styrofoam ball. They might ask you for the size - just say medium or large.

You can get most of these at any craft store, or even a local supermarket.

Cut it in half, but instead of putting clay on, you can use colorful markers and draw the organelles onto the Styrofoam.

You could use some clay and shape it to make your cell parts, or you can get some some items that are similar-looking to the parts and use that instead.

Maybe you could use food coloring on the dough and then make the toppings in the shape of the vacuole and whatever else you need.

You could use clear gelatin, or if you are really ambitious, ice (boil the water for clear ice and pour it in layers). If you aren't planning on eating it, you could use clear wax or clear soap.

If it is oven-bake or never-drying clay, just knead it in your hands for a bit. If it is air-drying, maybe wet your hands and knead it?

Take a bowl and use gelatin. Carve out parts of it for the other parts of the cell, then melt that gelatin and use food coloring.

You don't need specific colors, but the colors of the organelles should be different so they are easy to see and tell apart from one another.

Then you just either read books or go on Google and research the cell instead of making it.

If it is not refrigerated, then yes, Jello will melt overnight.

It may depend on what kind of things you have put on your styrofoam ball. If you can, use large kebab sticks and poke them through the ball. Once you see the ends of each stick, poke them through a shoebox to keep the "cell" upright.

Dollarama sells them for $2-3. They should also be available at other bargain/dollar stores.

You can also cut 1/4 of it out, leaving 3/4 for your cell model. That way you can still see the cell in a cool way.

Yes, but you will need to cut it after the gelatin dries.

Nope. You may be able to make some of the organelles work by using solar panels, but most of the organelles can't be replicated.

You can use a small paper bowl and use that to create a nucleus and maybe the cell membrane. If you are creating an plant cell, it is helpful to use a small cardboard box for the base.

You should be able to find them in craft shops or stores that have craft sections.

Yes you can. Only if you wear gloves and knead it properly. You can get the clay from a craft store and then knead the clay until soft. Put little bits of colored dye onto the clay and mix.

You could use Haribos or jellies and millions. These are available at your local supermarket.

You can try to use a bowl or anything round. Try flipping a bowl upside down and cover it in thick clay.