MODA - AGS Biomimicry - Day 4

• Design
• Biology
• 6-8 Grade

Introduction

To complete this lesson, you’ll watch a film that explains biomimicry and gives you some examples of how designers and engineers have used biomimicry to solve problems. You’ll also learn why learning from nature is an important skills to have.

Morning!

• Go to MODA's current virtual exhibit

• Seek 3 examples of biomimicry (function)

• Take notes to share back in circle

tinyurl.com/MODAsurvival

 

Learning from Nature:

Biomimicry 

Design 

Challenge

Day 4

Our Big Goal

We will imagine new possibilities for a better world inspired by nature!

• You (+crew?) will work on final project Week 2

(Y

• Lead with questions
• Respond “Yes, and…”
• Allow for multiple views

• Pay attention to info+others

  (don't interrupt)

• Quiet unless sharing

• Accepting of questions

• Collaborate

• DEAR MAN*

Our Working Agreements

*Describe • Express • Assert • Reinforce • Mindfulness • Appear confident • Negotiate

Today's Schedule

Exhibit hunt

Circle up + chat FUNCTION

Break

Drawing exercise

Break

Intro to design models

Wrap-up

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

- sit in a big circle 
- listen for instructions

- quiet but ready to be loud when needed

Let's circle up!

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

- How did designers connect to how organisms work?

- What are some things you wished worked better in your spaces?

FUNCTION!

Drawing Exercise!

So many instructions!

Thanks for your patience throughout!

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

- fold paper into thirds
- draw in 1 section

- add details, inspired by bio + function

- wait for cue to switch folded papers

- don't peek at other sections!

Exquisite creature:

wmhutch1.wix.com

our faves...

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

- What was interesting or inspiring?

How'd we do?

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

- go to LessonUp.app

- select "English" as language

- enter the code

have paper + pencil handy

Next up!

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

- if you had 6-8 process steps from idea to final user adoption, what would those steps be?

write onto post-its

+ put on paper

BRAINSTORM!

*Example: Stanford d.school Design Thinking Process

1

2

3

4

5

6

0

Biomimicry

Where people ask: WWND?

We will officially start the lesson @10:40am

Until then, you can watch as many videos on biomimicry.org/videos

  an introduction!

Design models

uxdesign.cc

static1.squarespace.com

Now let's wrap up...

We did it!

Write one word to
describe today's lesson.

Did you enjoy this lesson?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Thanks for

your hard work!

See you tomorrow!

Now you know more about biomimicry. 

Want to know how whales generate energy? We will on Day 2!

Today's Schedule

Create

Discussion

Closing Activity

Opening Activity 

Introductions

What is Biomimicry?

Brain Break

Legend

You are going to learn

Information

Participate

Watch

Touch or drag

Go to the next slide

Recap

Goals for this lesson:

We will learn what lift is

We will learn how Frank E. Fish from Whalepower used whales as an example to make windmills more efficient

We will learn how whales generate energy

Name one thing you would like to know more about:

Ready, set, design!

Now you know how whales generate energy. 

Want to know how beetles help people to get fresh water? 

Go to lesson three!

Goals for this lesson:

We will learn about the Namib beetle.

We will learn how designers and engineers

drew inspiration from the beetle

We will learn how it can capture water in areas that don’t have much freshwater.

Ready, set, design!

Lesson Three:

How Can a Beetle Help People Get Fresh Water?

Click here!

What do you notice about this picture?

Click on the hotspot to show the picture of the Namib beetle and start the timer. Show the picture for one minute and go to the next slide. Let the students write down what they remember from this picture.

What did you observe?

Questions to help you remember

What was the main focus of the picture?

What kind of creature was it?

What was the texture on its back?

Can you describe some details of this creature?

What does it make you think?

What does it make you wonder?

How does the beetle collect water
in the dessert?

Question: Describe in your own words what the tubercles do for a whale.

Answer: The beetles climb to the top of a hill and water droplets condense on little bumps it has on its back. Then, the water runs down the beetle’s exoskeleton and into its mouth!

What have humans
learned from the beetle?

Question: Describe in your own words what the tubercles do for a whale.

Answer: The tubercles give humback whales more lift, which helps them manoeuvre more easily in the water. That’s important because these huge animals — which can weigh as much as 13 Hummer SUVs — eat by catching fish. And, to catch fish, the whales have to make tight turns while they swim. Their tuberculed fins help them do that. 

Name two things you learned
during this lesson:

Biomimicry Lesson 4

 

How can spiders save birds' lives? 

Goals

You will build on your knowledge of biomimicry

You will learn how designers and engineers

drew inspiration from spiders' webs

You will learn how spiders protect their webs from birds

What's going on in this picture?

How might studying spiders' webs
help us keep birds from flying into glass?

What did humans do with their
spider research to help save birds' lives?

*irony anyone?

Supplies Needed

- Pencil and paper

- A personal account at TinkerCAD.com