Using Biomimicry to Meet NGSS in the Lower Grades

Abstract

Biomimicry is a difficult concept for younger children to grasp. This manuscript describes a group of successful activities that we have used to teach biomimicry to first graders. The activity begins with a class discussion about camouflage, a concept many students have experienced. Then the students participate in an activity in which they are asked to quickly collect colored dots off a piece of construction paper. Next, students are introduced to Velcro™, an item many are familiar with. Through a story about Velcro™ (United Kingdom), the term biomimicry is reintroduced and explicitly defined. The students are then able to research their own biomimicry idea and create a short presentation with their findings. Through use of the resources from the Biomimicry Institute’s Ask Nature website and a series of learning centers Biometric Institute 2008, students are asked to research an observation in nature that may have some practical uses to humans. Using Learning centers students create a short presentation detailing their research findings. Throughout this activity, students work collaboratively in groups of four heterogeneously formed with attention given to reading skills, creativity, articulation, and gregariousness.

Keywords:

• Biomimicry; learning centers; inquiry; NGSS; camouflage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.