Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 45 minutes
Stem cells and their medical uses
Cells, genetics and evolution
CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-4England: GCSE Combined Science: Cell biology
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Stem cells and their medical uses.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Specialised cells
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Specialised cells). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which specialised cell has a long thin extension for absorbing water? (sperm cell / palisade cell / root hair cell / red blood cell) → root hair cellPrompt: What job would need this feature?
- Why are root hair cells long and thin? (to give a large surface area to absorb water and minerals / to protect the leaf / to make food from light / to carry sugar) → to give a large surface area to absorb water and mineralsPrompt: More surface, more absorption.
- Specialised cells: which statement is true? (All cells in the body look the same. / Root hair cells contain lots of chloroplasts. / Sperm cells have no mitochondria. / Palisade cells contain many chloroplasts.) → Palisade cells contain many chloroplasts.Prompt: Match each cell's features to its job.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
- Share the objective: Stem cells and their medical uses. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Where are stem cells found in a plant?
- Step 1: Meristem tissue can differentiate into any plant cell type throughout the plant's life.
- Step 2: So the answer is: in meristems at the tips of roots and shoots
- Answer: in meristems at the tips of roots and shoots
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- What makes a stem cell different from a specialised cell? (It cannot divide / It is undifferentiated and can divide to become other cell types / It can only become a nerve cell / It has no nucleus) → It is undifferentiated and can divide to become other cell typesPrompt: "Differentiation" is when a cell becomes specialised.
- Stem cells: which statement is true? (Adult stem cells can form only a limited range of cell types. / Stem cell treatments have no risks. / Most specialised animal cells can change into any other type of cell. / Adult stem cells are only found in embryos.) → Adult stem cells can form only a limited range of cell types.Prompt: Which type of stem cell is the most flexible?
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which type of stem cell: found at root and shoot tips? (embryonic stem cells / adult stem cells / plant meristem cells) → plant meristem cellsPrompt: Think about where each type is found.
- In therapeutic cloning, an embryo is made with the patient's own genes. What is the main advantage? (It needs no laboratory / The stem cells will not be rejected by the patient's immune system / It is free of ethical questions / The cells never divide) → The stem cells will not be rejected by the patient's immune systemPrompt: Think about why transplanted organs are sometimes rejected.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Specialised cells.
- Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-9.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder