Cycle 1

Students are presented with a variety of adaptations and consider how the adaptation has “solved a problem” for the species.
Students also review the definition of evolution and consider the relationship between environment and success of a species.

Students are presented with a variety of human-designed products and play a matching game with a partner to guess which species may have inspired the product design.

Students model an adaptation and describe how it has increased an organism’s probability of survival and reproduction in its environment, and how this may cause the adaptation to become more prevalent in populations of the species.
Students are presented with Biomimicry. Several species are highlighted to show students examples of Biomimicry product development.

Students model an adaptation and describe how it has increased an organism’s probability of survival and reproduction in its environment, and how this may cause the adaptation to become more prevalent in populations of the species.
Students are presented with Biomimicry. Several species are highlighted to show students examples of Biomimicry product development.

Students choose a species and research the species’ evolutionary history, modern phylogeny, the structure and function of the adaptation, and how it helps the species survive. In their research, students also think about how we have or how we could learn from this adaptation in order to solve a human design problem.

Based on their research, students develop a unique design innovation and create a persuasive argument for using this innovation. Students develop their idea using both writing and drawing.

Students present their innovation to their peers at a research and development symposium.

Students hypothetically test and evaluate the success of their design. Students will create a sales pitch.