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Inspired by Nature (Biomimicry)
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- Plants and animals have amazing ways to solve problems.
- Biomimicry is when people solve problems with ideas from nature.
- Lots of things around us are inspired by nature.
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Discussion Questions
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Before VideoAnimal parts have specific purposes. Can you think of some examples?ANSWER
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A turtle has a shell that protects it. A woodpecker has a sharp beak that allows it to break through bark to get to food. A horse has a long tail that helps keep flies away.
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Examples of problems could be not having waterproof shoes when there is a flooded street or not being able to reach a book on a shelf.
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One possible solution could be to put plastic bags over your shoes. You could also use special shoes that do not get wet.
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It might be fun to have webbed feet like a duck or a frog to help with swimming. It also might be fun to have wings like a bird or a bat so that you could fly.
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One invention that solves a problem is a fan. It helps to keep you cool.
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We can learn how different kinds of beaks help birds get food. We can also learn how some animal’s feet help them climb trees, swim or run fast.
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After VideoWhat are some examples of structures on an animal or plant that protect them?ANSWER
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A structure on a plant that protect it are thorns. Some structures on animals that protect them are shells, horns or sharp teeth.
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The feet of the gecko have lots of tiny hairs that allow the gecko to climb up walls.
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Yes, we have opposable thumbs that help us grab things. Our eyes and ears can help us know if danger is nearby. Our legs can allow us to run very far.
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A raincoat, shoes, furniture or carpet could be more useful if they were waterproof.
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The seeds of a cocklebur plant can attach to the fur of animals, so it can be moved from place to place by the animal. Scientists saw this and invented Velcro which uses tiny hooks and special material that are inspired by the seed.
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The hard covering of the armadillo and the way it can roll up into a ball has influenced a back-pack design.
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Vocabulary
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Biomimicry
DEFINE
When people solve problems by getting ideas from nature.
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Structure
DEFINE
A part of something, such as an animal or plant part.
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Function
DEFINE
What something does.
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Problem
DEFINE
Something that needs to be solved.
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Solution
DEFINE
A way to solve a problem.
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Nature
DEFINE
Natural things in our world such as animals, plants, mountains and rivers.
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Biomimicry
DEFINE
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Reading Material
Download as PDF Download PDF View as Separate PageBIOMIMICRY DEFINITIONBiomimicry is when people use ideas from nature to solve problems. Plants and animals have different ways to solve problems that have inspired inventions.
To better understand how nature works…
BIOMIMICRY DEFINITION. Biomimicry is when people use ideas from nature to solve problems. Plants and animals have different ways to solve problems that have inspired inventions. To better understand how nature works…LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Animals solve problems in many different ways.
Animals such as this sugar glider have wing-like structures to help them fly from tree to tree. When they jump, they spread out their arms and legs to help them glide down safely.
Animals solve problems in many different ways. Animals such as this sugar glider have wing-like structures to help them fly from tree to tree. When they jump, they spread out their arms and legs to help them glide down safely.People have been inspired by animals to invent things.
Wingsuits can let people experience flying. The idea for these suits came from the sugar glider, an animal that has wing-like structures between its arms and legs.
People have been inspired by animals to invent things. Wingsuits can let people experience flying. The idea for these suits came from the sugar glider, an animal that has wing-like structures between its arms and legs.Some animals have structures used for protection.
An armadillo has a hard covering that can protect it from predators. When an armadillo feels that it is in danger, it curls into a ball. Once the predator goes away, it comes out of the ball.
Some animals have structures used for protection. An armadillo has a hard covering that can protect it from predators. When an armadillo feels that it is in danger, it curls into a ball. Once the predator goes away, it comes out of the ball.Armadillos have inspired people to solve problems.
The armadillo has inspired someone to create a backpack with a hard surface. The surface of the backpack rolls up to protects things inside from being crushed.
Armadillos have inspired people to solve problems. The armadillo has inspired someone to create a backpack with a hard surface. The surface of the backpack rolls up to protects things inside from being crushed.Plants have inspired amazing inventions too.
The cocklebur plant gave scientists the idea to create Velcro. The prickly parts of a cocklebur seed can stick to animal fur. This allows the seed to be moved from place to place
Plants have inspired amazing inventions too. The cocklebur plant gave scientists the idea to create Velcro. The prickly parts of a cocklebur seed can stick to animal fur. This allows the seed to be moved from place to place -
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Give an example of a problem and its solution.
Name two animal structures and explain what their functions are.
What are two examples of biomimicry?
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