In small groups, students experiment and observe the similarities and differences between human-made objects and objects from nature. They compare the function and structure of hollow bones with drinking straws, bird beaks, tool pliers, bat wings and airplane wings. Observations are recorded in a compare & contrast chart, and then shared in a classroom discussion, along with follow up assessment activities such as journal writing and Venn diagrams.

Engineers find many brilliant ideas by observing the mechanisms seen in natural systems and bodies. This activity encourages students to make such observations and identify how they might be applied to designing human-made products for everyday use. adaptation biomimicry evolution mechanism organism survival Observe that many human-made objects get their basic design from nature. The importance of function in design. models of bones drinking straws tubes pictures/models of bird beaks tool pliers pictures/models of airplane wings pictures/models of bat wings paper picture/model of a bee's nest Velcro burrs Nature Got There First by Phil Gates Introduce students to some vocabulary terms such as evolution, adaptation, survival, biomimicry, etc. Then ask them the Investigating Questions. The process or state of changing to fit new circumstances or conditions. Copying or imitating the special characteristics of naturally existing things (animals, plants, etc.) in human-made designs, products and systems. From bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate. The natural or artificially induced process by which new and different organisms develop as a result of changes in genetic material. Continuation in life or existence. Gather materials and make copies of the worksheet. Read and discuss key points from the book, Nature Got There First, especially pages 7-50. Give the children time to explore the materials, and compare their similarities and differences. Have students (in teams, if desired) fill out the compare and contrast chart (the worksheet). Encourage students to fill in the chart by using the provided objects, as well as others that they know about or can imagine. Conclude with a class discussion comparing and sharing ideas. See the Assesment section for additional suggeted evaluation methods. Worksheet (Compare & Contrast Chart) (doc) Worksheet (Compare & Contrast Chart) (pdf) How are things found in nature similar to human-made objects? Why are objects in nature designed the way they are? Why do many human-made objects resemble those found in nature? Why do things in nature look the way they do (for example, birds' beaks, bee's hive, armadillo)? Worksheets (chart): Evaluate the completed worksheet charts. All students should be able to identify common objects. Advanced students should be able to describe the common objects as well as others that they thought of on their own. Journal Entry: Ask students to think of and describe in writing some nature-made/human-made connections that were not discussed in class. Gauge students' ability to brainstorm beyond known/obvious objects. Venn Diagrams: Assign students to expand on a few items from their Compare & Contrast Chart by creating Venn diagrams to more specifically identify in-common vs. unique characteristics. As homework, assign students to find three other human-made (engineered) objects that are designed after something in nature. For younger grades, have students draw and label the objects as well as compare them. See many more examples in the Biomimicry: Natural Designs activity.