Paula Cogdell

Cogdell's "Classroom Cell" is an innovative science program that allows scientific and non-scientific minded students at Magnolia High School and visiting students to literally experience what it's like to be inside a cell. By engaging Magnolia High School students from a variety of disciplines, Cogdell was able to turn her high school biology classroom into a cell, giving students ranging from 4th grade through high school a near "IMAX" cellular experience. Students mixed music and sound. Tour guides were provided in both English and Spanish. Theatre students provided lighting while technology students created websites, PowerPoint presentations and hand outs. Journalism students filmed the project and wrote newspaper articles. Shop students built the plasma membrane out of 2x4s, plastic and fabric constructed into a maze where students entered the cell. Student presenters, as well as the visitors, commented through a visitor evaluation that " the Classroom Cell" made learning "fun." Cogdell lives in Montgomery.