What is alive? What defines being alive? RYNJ seventh graders are busy studying the characteristics of living things. One of the characteristics of life is that all living things are made up of cells. RYNJ scholars began to dive into the cell and learn all of its parts. To better visualize, and comprehend the different parts of the cell, students were assigned a STEM project to create a 3D model of their own unique cell. The project was done in small groups and each group presented their cell model to the class.