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🦎 Weeks 8-10: Biomimicry Design

Unit Overview
Grade Level Grades 5-6
Duration 3 sessions (45 min each)
Curriculum Year B
STREAM Focus S (Science), E (Engineering), R (Religion), A (Arts)

Weeks 8-10: Biomimicry Design

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Define biomimicry and identify examples 2. Analyze biological adaptations 3. Apply nature's designs to solve problems 4. Create biomimicry-inspired inventions

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. See nature as God's design portfolio 2. Appreciate how studying creation reveals wisdom 3. Connect to St. Francis' love of nature

Weeks 8-10: Biomimicry Design

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Learning from Creation — When we study nature's designs, we're studying God's engineering. Every adaptation, every solution already exists in creation. Biomimicry is humbly learning from the Master Designer!

Scripture Connection

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you." — Job 12:7

Saint Connection

St. Francis of Assisi — Patron of ecology who called all creatures his brothers and sisters. He saw God's presence in all nature. His Canticle of Creation praises Brother Sun and Sister Moon. Francis teaches us to learn from and respect all life.

📚 Materials Needed

Week 8 (Introduction)

  • Biomimicry examples (images/videos)

  • Nature specimens or images

  • Research materials

  • Observation worksheets

Week 9 (Research)

  • Animal adaptation cards

  • Research stations

  • Design thinking materials

  • Journals

Week 10 (Design)

  • Prototyping materials (various)

  • Presentation supplies

  • Rubrics

  • Display materials

📝 Week 8 Procedure: Introduction to Biomimicry (45 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"St. Francis, pray for us! Help us learn from our brothers and sisters in nature. Creator God, open our eyes to see Your wisdom in every creature. May we design with humility, learning from Your creation. Amen."

What is Biomimicry? (10 min)

Nature as teacher:

Definition:

  • Bio = life

  • Mimicry = imitation

  • Biomimicry = Learning from nature to solve human problems

Key concept: "Nature has 3.8 billion years of R&D. Why reinvent the wheel when creation already has solutions?"

St. Francis connection:

  • Saw all nature as family

  • Respected creatures' wisdom

  • Learned spiritual lessons from nature

  • "If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."

Amazing Biomimicry Examples (15 min)

Real-world applications:

1. Velcro (Burrs)

  • Inventor walked dog through field

  • Burrs stuck to dog's fur

  • Examined hooks under microscope

  • Created hook-and-loop fastener!

2. Bullet Train (Kingfisher)

  • Japanese train was loud entering tunnels

  • Engineer was birdwatcher

  • Kingfisher enters water silently

  • Copied beak shape → quieter, faster train!

3. Gecko Tape (Gecko feet)

  • Geckos walk on walls and ceilings

  • Tiny hairs create adhesion

  • Scientists copied → reusable adhesive!

4. Swimsuits (Shark skin)

  • Shark skin has tiny ridges

  • Reduces drag in water

  • Olympic swimsuits copied design

5. Self-cleaning surfaces (Lotus leaf)

  • Lotus leaves stay clean in muddy water

  • Microscopic bumps repel water and dirt

  • Copied for building materials, paints

Discussion:

  • "What's surprising about these examples?"

  • "Why didn't humans think of these first?"

  • "What does this tell us about nature's design?"

Nature Observation (15 min)

Looking for design inspiration:

Observation activity: Go outside OR use images/specimens

Observe and record:

  • Choose one plant or animal

  • Draw it carefully

  • List its special features

  • What problems does it solve?

  • What challenges does it overcome?

Guiding questions:

  • How does it protect itself?

  • How does it get food/water?

  • How does it move?

  • How does it survive extreme conditions?

  • What's unique about its structure?

Share observations:

  • What did you notice?

  • What adaptation impressed you?

  • What human problem might this inspire?

Closing (3 min)

Preview: "Next week we'll research specific adaptations and start designing our own biomimicry inventions!"

Journal prompt:

  • "What creature did you observe?"

  • "What problem does its adaptation solve?"

  • "What human problem might it address?"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, Creator, for 3.8 billion years of design wisdom! Thank You for creatures that teach us. Help us be humble learners from Your creation. St. Francis, pray that we respect and learn from all our brothers and sisters in nature. Amen."

📝 Week 9 Procedure: Research & Design (45 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Lord of all creation, guide our research today! Help us discover Your wisdom in the designs of nature. May we create solutions that serve others. Amen."

Adaptation Research (20 min)

Deep dive into nature's solutions:

Research stations (groups rotate):

Station 1: Movement & Locomotion

  • How do dolphins swim efficiently?

  • How do birds fly with minimum energy?

  • How do snakes move without legs?

  • How do insects walk on water?

Station 2: Materials & Structures

  • How do spider webs combine strength and flexibility?

  • How do bones combine lightness and strength?

  • How do shells protect?

  • How do honeycombs maximize space?

Station 3: Thermal Regulation

  • How do polar bears stay warm?

  • How do elephants stay cool?

  • How do termite mounds regulate temperature?

  • How do desert animals manage heat?

Station 4: Water Management

  • How do cacti store water?

  • How do beetles collect water from fog?

  • How do mangroves filter salt?

  • How do lotus leaves repel water?

At each station:

  • Read information cards

  • Study images/videos

  • Record key adaptations

  • Brainstorm human applications

Problem Selection (10 min)

Choose your focus:

Human problems that could use nature's help:

  • Clean water access

  • Building efficiency

  • Transportation

  • Medical needs

  • Packaging/materials

  • Energy

Teams choose:

  • What problem interests you?

  • What natural adaptation might help?

  • What creature inspires your solution?

Design brief:

  • Problem we're solving:

  • Creature inspiration:

  • Adaptation we're copying:

  • Our solution concept:

Initial Design (10 min)

Sketch your biomimicry invention:

Design requirements:

  • Clearly identify biological inspiration

  • Explain the adaptation being mimicked

  • Show how it solves the human problem

  • Consider materials and construction

Design worksheet:

  • Sketch (3 views if helpful)

  • Label key features

  • Explain connection to nature

  • List materials needed

Closing (3 min)

Share concepts:

  • Quick pitch: Problem, creature, solution

Feedback:

  • What's strong?

  • What questions do you have?

Closing Prayer: "Thank You for inspiring ideas today! Help us develop them into real solutions. May our designs honor both creation and the people they serve. Amen."

📝 Week 10 Procedure: Build & Present (45 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Creative Spirit, guide our hands today! Help us build things that reflect Your wisdom in nature. May our presentations honor You. Amen."

Build Time (20 min)

Create your prototype:

Prototype requirements:

  • Visual representation of solution

  • Can be model, drawing, or digital

  • Must show connection to nature

  • Include explanation of how it works

Building options:

  • Physical model (cardboard, clay, found materials)

  • 3D digital design (if tools available)

  • Detailed poster with diagrams

  • Working prototype (if simple enough)

While building:

  • Test if possible

  • Refine design

  • Prepare presentation notes

  • Practice explaining the nature connection

Presentation Preparation (5 min)

Structure your presentation:

Format (2-3 minutes each): 1. State the human problem 2. Introduce your creature inspiration 3. Explain the adaptation 4. Show your solution 5. Explain how it works 6. Connect to faith/creation care

Visual aids:

  • Show your prototype

  • Include creature images

  • Demonstrate if possible

Biomimicry Showcase (15 min)

Present to class:

Each team presents:

  • Follows format

  • Shows prototype

  • Answers questions

Audience:

  • Listen respectfully

  • Note creativity

  • Ask one question per presentation

  • Look for connections

Reflection & Awards (3 min)

Celebrate learning:

Recognition:

  • Most creative biomimicry

  • Best nature connection

  • Most practical solution

  • Best presentation

  • Best teamwork

Discussion:

  • "What did this unit teach you about nature?"

  • "How does biomimicry show God's design?"

  • "How might you use biomimicry thinking in the future?"

Final reflection: "Nature is God's design portfolio. Billions of years of perfected solutions surround us. As St. Francis knew, we have much to learn from our brothers and sisters in creation."

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for the genius of Your creation! Thank You for creatures that teach us. Help us always approach nature with humility and respect. May we be good stewards who learn from and protect Your world. St. Francis, pray for us and for all creation! Amen."

📎 Home Connection

"We completed Biomimicry Design! Ask your child: 'What creature inspired your invention?' 'What problem does it solve?' 'What did you learn about nature's designs?' Take a nature walk together and look for design inspiration. What adaptations do you notice? How might they solve human problems?"

✅ Assessment

  • Identified biomimicry concept and examples

  • Researched specific biological adaptations

  • Designed nature-inspired solution

  • Presented with clear nature connection

Lesson Version: 1.0 — Year B | **