Science comes alive in the classroom with Ward’s Science Engage Cell Cycles kit. This hands-on resource makes teaching and learning about cell cycles interactive and fun, making this biology kit a Teacher’s Choice. It combines simplicity and engagement, giving students the opportunity to explore biological concepts through inquiry-based learning.
One of the standout features of Ward’s Science Engage Kits is their commitment to supporting teachers. With free access to professional development and alignment with NGSS standards, these kits provide everything teachers need to confidently bring science lessons to life.
To see how it works in action, we sent the Engage Cell Cycles kit to high school science teacher Selim Jamil, who tested it with his 9th grade biology class. Here’s her Teacher’s Choice review and why she’s eager to use this kit in all of her science classes.
What grade levels is Ward’s Engage Cell Cycles kit best suited for?
9th grade biology and AP biology for juniors/seniors.
How have you used the kit in your science class?
I use the Engage Cell Cycles kit to model and teach 9th graders how mitosis works in a cell. Students are able to demonstrate their understanding of the process of mitosis and are able to imagine what might happen if the process does not work properly.
How will your students use this?
Students often have questions about how to use the model correctly. But once we have applied the model properly, I ask the students to try to come up with ways in which the model will not work. This is where their creativity comes into play. Students came up with situations where genes do not separate and where one daughter cell does not receive the full DNA.
What they really can’t do is find a bunch of potential genetic problems before I present them to students. They may not know the name of the genetic problems, but they have discovered ways in which these can happen.
How would you sum up how you feel about this science kit?
Good! I’m a big fan of lab equipment that has a specific purpose but can easily be used in a general lab environment. This is something I can use for many labs.
What is your favorite thing about the kit?
I love that this can be used in 9th grade labs where things are simple. It can then also be used in an advanced biology class. Students can use the model to understand simple phenomena such as mitosis but also more complex phenomena such as mitosis, mutation, and recombination. I also like the diversity of the model. I can use it to show the processes of plant and animal cells. In addition, I can use the model for some assignments that come with material, but I can also use them for my own thoughts and those of my students.
What makes this product special compared to others?
I don’t like “cookie-cutter” labs. Most labs have a set method that must be used. Follow steps 1-17, then here is the correct answer students should be able to give to demonstrate their learning.
This model does not require students to arrive at the correct answer. I can show how it is used and they can think of different situations in which it might work. Some may be fine. Some may be wrong. But if they can think of different ways a chromosome can split and can clearly describe it, they are involved in a scientific experiment.
Until my school decides to let me spend $3,000 on a genetic engineering lab, this is the closest students will get to being able to demonstrate their understanding of the principles of genetics in a meaningful way. This is actually more important than a genetic engineering lab kit. This is because it allows students to visualize exactly what is happening in the nucleus.
How has the biology kit made teaching easier?
Usually when I teach the process of mitosis, I just show a video of the chromosomes moving along the nuclear membrane. That’s fine and dandy, but this allows students to fully engage in trying to understand the situation. They’re not just watching something happen—they’re looking for ways it can happen and explaining what they think is happening.
This model allows students to explore different ways of genetic reproduction and differentiation in a way that observation would not allow.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about the Ward’s Science Engage Cell Cycles kit?
I’m generally not a fan of pre-made labs. I don’t like the idea that science has a fixed end. This model allows for scientific experimentation and is ideal for young scientists. There are no immediately obvious rules except what the mind dictates. Students can participate in a form of playful exploration that will enlighten them as they begin to understand the concepts we explore in class. This is a great addition to my classroom and will serve me well throughout my teaching career.
Check out Selim’s video review.
Teacher Picks is a sponsored program from We Are Teachers. All opinions shared in the review are honest and based on the teacher’s direct experience. To learn more about our guidelines and review process, click here.
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