Biomimicry 5E Science Unit + STEM Design Lab (Nature-Inspired Design!)

$6.25

Students will complete a hands-on velcro observation to look, smell, touch, and hear the attributes of velcro. Building from this experience, students will explore key biomimicry concepts through readings, videos, and discussions including a WebQuest activity and biomimicry matching game.

Grade Levels: 4th - 9th; Homeschool

Duration: 1 week

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Students will complete a hands-on velcro observation to look, smell, touch, and hear the attributes of velcro. Building from this experience, students will explore key biomimicry concepts through readings, videos, and discussions including a WebQuest activity and biomimicry matching game.

Grade Levels: 4th - 9th; Homeschool

Duration: 1 week

Students will complete a hands-on velcro observation to look, smell, touch, and hear the attributes of velcro. Building from this experience, students will explore key biomimicry concepts through readings, videos, and discussions including a WebQuest activity and biomimicry matching game.

Grade Levels: 4th - 9th; Homeschool

Duration: 1 week

My students really enjoyed diving into the different aspects of Biomimicry. We were able to make a lot of connections with the world around us, and the materials were super accessible and easy to use.
— Amanda S.

lesson overview

Biomimicry 5E STEM Unit:

Engage students with real examples of biomimicry (engineering inspired by nature) and deepened their understanding with a 5E science unit + design lab!

Students will complete a hands-on velcro observation to look, smell, touch, and hear the attributes of velcro. Building from this experience, students will explore key biomimicry concepts through readings, videos, and discussions including a WebQuest activity and biomimicry matching game. Students will then apply concepts of biomimicry to a STEM design lab. The lab includes surveying classmates on desired animal traits, identifying a problem, and designing a device that mimics nature. Finally, teams design a biomimicry device inspired by animals based on constraint criteria and customer demand and create an advertisement.

Key Science Concepts: 

  • Nature is good at solving problems.

  • Scientists and engineers look to nature for solutions. We find traits in nature and imitate those traits to solve problems. When scientists and engineers imitate nature to solve a problem, it is called biomimicry.

  • Compare and contrast observations

  • Understand that biomimicry engineers are helping to create more sustainable solutions to our modern day problems.

Real World Connections:

  • Overview of biomimicry

  • Biomimicry Engineer

  • Examples: Velcro and burrs, Sunflowers and shower heads, Bullet train

Complete 5E Science Unit:

  1. Engage: Where do we use velcro?

  2. Explore: Velcro observation lab

  3. Explain: Connect Velcro Observations to Biomimicry + Webquest

  4. Elaborate: Deepen Understanding with Biomimicry STEM Lab

  5. Evaluate: Assess Student Learning with Reflections + Exit Ticket

5-90 minute Lesson Sequence

  • Session 1: Velcro brainstorm + Velcro Observations

  • Session 2: Connecting Velcro to Science Concept

  • Session 3: Biomimicry WebQuest + STEM Career Connection

  • Session 4 & 5: Biomimicry STEM lab + Discussion

Recommended Materials:

  • 2-inch pieces of velcro (1 piece per student)

  • Magnifying Lens (1 per student)

  • Scissors, glue, crayons (1 set per group)

  • Poster Board

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