Life Science

This unit covers the processes of photosynthesis, extinction, biomimicry and bioremediation. In the first lesson on photosynthesis, students learn how engineers use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a complex yet efficient process for converting solar energy to chemical energy or distributing water throughout a system. In the next lesson on species extinction, students learn that it is happening at an alarming rate.

In today's world, engineers are challenged to design energy-efficient systems for heating buildings and creating fuel-efficient vehicles. The photosynthetic process serves as an excellent model for engineers when imagining highly efficient engineering designs—they study it to aid in their creations.

Engineers can prevent extinction by developing ways to preserve diverse biological habitats. Through their passion for protecting the environment and their use of the engineering design process, engineers have developed creative solutions, such as materials that mimic the qualities of wood to be used instead of rainforest timber, a way to lessen the harmful effects starfish have on coral reef, and ways to lesson global warming, which adversely affects coral reef.

We know that engineers design products that are essential to our health, happiness and safety. To meet these human needs, engineers often look to nature for examples of efficient design solutions and inspiration for creative and elegant design ideas. This approach, called biomimicry, is becoming a commonly used practice throughout the engineering world to aid in the creation of innovative engineering designs.

Bioremediation is a specialtly of the environmental engineering field. It is a commonly used practice that takes advantage living organisms to help rid our environment of toxic or harmful pollutants.

The field of engineering is truly connected to the life sciences and engineers are engaged in many life processes that aid our well being, as these many intriguing examples show.