Great Probe

This probe can show teacher's if students understand that (most) cells are the same size and does not correlate to the size of the organism.

The size of cells

In this chapter, students will explore and compare the average size of cells in a large mammal (the blue whale) and a small mammal (the pygmy shrew). The probe asks students to determine if... See More

In this chapter, students will explore and compare the average size of cells in a large mammal (the blue whale) and a small mammal (the pygmy shrew). The probe asks students to determine if cells are bigger, smaller or the same size in a whale and a shrew and asks them to explain the "rule" or reason they used to determine their answer. The chapter includes teacher notes and breaks expected prior knowledge down into elementary, middle school and high school levels. It details how to administer the probe, related research, suggestions for instruction and related NSTA publications and journal articles. This is an excellent probe that will help identify and correct student misconceptions about cell size.