Science Lessonidea11.2

Lesson idea 11.
2
Mitosis and meiosis animated
Type of Activity Group work, stop motion animation, using digital technologies
Level Ages 14–16
Timing At least 90 min
To support students’ understanding of cell division by mitosis and meiosis

Aim and to provide an opportunity to model a dynamic process using digital
technologies.
Time will need to be spent ensuring that all the technology, software and
connectivity works as expected. The effective working of the technology
Preparation
and the students’ confidence in using it will be critical to the success of the
lesson.
Digital cameras and storage media to allow students to take and save
multiple images. Connection cables or memory card slots to allow images
to be transferred from camera to computers or tablets. Computers/tablets
with software to allow annotated digital slideshows. If audio commentary is
to be added, working microphones and speakers/headsets will be needed.
Resources Cloud storage space, a blog or another site to allow sharing of work
between class groups may be required.
Plasticine, modelling clay or other resources to enable students to make

models of the cells and their constituent parts. Mini-whiteboards, coloured
pens and pipe cleaners or string can provide an alternative to modelling
clay.
A stop motion animation is essentially a collection of still photographs sequenced together to be shown as
a single collection. In this case it is being used as a way to show a dynamic scientific process that is
commonly shown as one or two static images in textbooks. These animations can be made in specialist
software that will generate a single video file or could be more simply a collection of still images that are
manually or automatically scrolled through. In each case, it is expected that there will be some
annotations or commentary added to help describe or explain what is being seen.
Searching the internet with terms such as ‘stop motion science’ or ‘stop frame animation science’ should
provide many examples you could show to students in advance of the task so that they are clear about
what their outcome might look like. However, be cautious, as some may not be as scientifically accurate
as you may wish. These searches will also show the range of ideas in science lessons that could be
presented in this way.
© Cambridge University Press 2017 Lesson idea 11.2: Mitosis and meiosis animated
It is assumed that the detail of the processes of cell division by mitosis and meiosis will already have been
taught or at least covered in outline so that the students are clear about the process that they need to
demonstrate in their videos. Depending upon the class, you may wish to make it clear the level of detail that
the students need to cover in their work (e.g. what stages to include or not, interphase/prophase
/prometaphase and so on). You may also wish to provide notes or a textbook to support them.
One way to manage the review stage (stage 3 below) is to show each video to the class in turn and ask
each group to record two strengths and one area for possible improvement as they watch. You may also
want to get the students to organise their feedback into areas such as ‘scientific accuracy’ and
‘presentation’ so that they do not only focus on the look of the video.
Stage Aim Action Time Focus
1 Introduce and Explain the task to the class, explaining 5–10 min Teacher 
explain the that they need to work in groups to Whole class
task. Review produce a short animation that shows
the key ideas. the process of mitosis and/or meiosis.
You may wish to spend a short time
reviewing the scientific content so that
the class is familiar with the key
scientific ideas that they need to show.
2a Familiarisation This is an optional stage that will be Up to 20 Teacher 

with the needed if the class has not previously min Whole class or
technology used digital cameras and the software individual
that they are to use. You will show them groups
how the software and technology works.
It may be that some of the class move
straight to stage 2b and some start on
2a before moving on.
2b Making the Students make their own stop frame 60–90 min Students
animation animations. You will need to provide or longer, working in
regular encouragement and time checks depending groups
and make sure that they allow enough on group
time to make the final animation, rather
than spending too much time on the
stage where they set up and take the
photographs.
3 Share and This is another optional stage or one 20 min Teacher-led

review that could be done in a following lesson. discussion with
groups
The class to watch each other’s videos
and provide some feedback and
commentary on them. You can focus and
moderate the feedback, making it
supportive and helpful rather than critical.
© Cambridge University Press 2017 Lesson idea 11.2: Mitosis and meiosis animated

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Lesson idea 11.

Level Ages 14–16

Timing At least 90 min

To support students’ understanding of cell division by mitosis and meiosis

Plasticine, modelling clay or other resources to enable students to make

Stage Aim Action Time Focus

2a Familiarisation This is an optional stage that will be Up to 20 Teacher 

3 Share and This is another optional stage or one 20 min Teacher-led

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