ERIC Number: EJ1214148
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8121
EISSN: N/A
Using Biomimicry to Meet NGSS in the Lower Grades
Sumrall, William J.; Sumrall, Kristen M.; Robinson, Hannah A.
Science Activities: Projects and Curriculum Ideas in STEM Classrooms, v55 n3-4 p115-126 2018
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.
Descriptors: National Standards, Academic Standards, Science Education, Biology, Scientific Concepts, Elementary School Science, Grade 1, Science Activities, Learning Centers (Classroom)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 1; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A