The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Using Biomimicry to Cool a Garden
Using Biomimicry to Cool a Garden
A 6th grade STEM lesson
Susan Matteson
May 30, 2023
Notes for teachers
Misconception: Biomimicry is not using natural materials exactly. It’s using nature’s design but usually man-made materials.
I had students work independently, with frequent whole class discussions.
This lesson took approximately 2 days.
List of Materials
Video: What is Biomimicry? — Resource — AskNature
Arizona Science Standards
6.L2U1.13 Develop and use models to demonstrate the interdependence of organisms and their environment
including biotic and abiotic factors.
Arizona Math Standards
6.G.A Solve mathematical problems and problems in real-world context involving area, surface area, and volume.
Arizona ELA Standards
6.W.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
b. Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
Objective(s):
We will know what biomimicry is.
We will design a way of shading and cooling a garden in Arizona on paper.
We will transfer our design into Tinkercad or another design program.
We will write a CER paper explaining how the design will protect a garden in Arizona from the summer heat.
Day 1
Day 1
Review what biomimicry is. If unsure, show video:
Video: https://asknature.org/resource/what-is-biomimicry/
Class discussion about summer in Arizona. How the heat and sun are a problem for gardens. Show some images of gardens.
Explain students will be designing a shade to protect a garden from the Arizona sun and heat using biomimicry.
Show students the rubric.
Discuss where it is coolest when outside during the day in the Arizona summer.
Show students pictures of trees.
Students should begin reading the articles, watch the video, and researching how nature cools.
Day 2
Review what biomimicry is.
Students should begin designing their garden protection, starting with plain paper, moving to graph paper, and finally creating their design in Tinkercad or another design program.
Students should write a CER explaining how their design uses biomimicry and how it will protect a garden from the Arizona summer sun and heat.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
How can we keep ourselves and our gardens cooler in the Arizona summer? How does nature do it?
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Assessment
Assessment is the rubric and the CER.
Differentiation
Students struggling with a design: Encourage them think about how nature shades and cools (articles and videos) and pick one idea to protect the garden.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Students who finish their design early can refine their design, adding to it or create a different idea.
Students can build a miniature prototype or 3D print their design and see if it shades/cools a given area.