Biomimicry NGSS STEM Project Distance Learning Life Science Adaptations LS4

NEWLY UPDATED PDFs for digital learning! This EXCITING and RELEVANT NGSS middle school STEM activity/project challenges students to explore the benefits of adaptations (MS-LS4) and then engineer a product (MS-ETS1 and MS-ETS1-4) for human use, called Biomimicry, in a fun and authentic way! In groups, students brainstorm a real world problem, investigate an adaptation and its benefit in the organism’s habitat, and individually design a "biomimetic" product to solve the problem. (Example: Grip shoes have been modeled after gecko's feet and windmill blades have been designed from whale fins). It is a complete and thorough lesson/unit with absolutely NO PREP WORK for the teacher for six days!

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Lesson Overview. Students:

• Introduced to "Biomimicry" by watching a YouTube video on the Box Fish
• Brainstorm problems to solve
• Research adaptations similar to the problem
• Design a solution (individually)
• Develop the product and presentation
• Class presentations

This resource includes:

• Clear project directions
• Outline for each group
• Suggested timeline
• Expectations and tips
• Sample problems and questions
• Grading rubric
• Reflection related to costs/benefits and future improvements of products!!

This project requires students to work/research in groups of 3-5 although it is completely fine to work on individually. Once students research and design a product, they present it to the class. The option of creating a 2D or 3D product is included as well as information about the Engineering and Design Process according to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Ideas that students have come up with are webbed gloves to swim faster based off of a sea turtle's webbed feet and another is armor developed for the military imitated from an armadillo's protective outer shell/s.

This project covers the following NGSS Performance Expectations and Standards:

MS-LS4. Adaptations

MS-ETS1: Engineering Design

Looking for ways to assess student understanding of the NGSS on tests, pre-assessments, exit tickets, etc.? Then, check out my newest line of NGSS Assessment Questions here: NGSS Assessments and Task Questions

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