Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech

Overview
Standards
Resources
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Overview

Description:

Visitors will engage in activities showing various natural phenomena that scientists and engineers have emulated to address human problems. Visitors view peacock feathers at different angles to see iridescence, apply drops of water to observe the color changes, and look at other examples of iridescence in nature, such as a blue Morpho butterfly, tropical beetle wings, and abalone shells. Visitors also explore the Lotus Effect by applying drops of water onto Lotusan paint and stain resistant fabrics, two technologies that mimic the Lotus effect. A flip-book shows examples of iridescence and the Lotus effect, as well as microscopic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Visitors can take home a peacock feather and a TryThis! card describing iridescence and an activity to do at home.

Objectives

Big Idea:

Biomimicry is defined as imitating nature’s best ideas to solve human problems. Many advances in nanotechnology and current research use nature as inspiration.

Learning goals:

1. Understand that biomimicry is imitating nature’s best ideas to solve human problems
2. Understand that nano means really, really small. So small you cannot see it. Things behave differently when they are this small.
3. Understand that nano sized things are in many places, including in nature.
4. Understand that numerous nanotechnologies have been inspired by nature. (biomimicry)
5. Think of other things in nature that we could use as inspiration to solve a human problem.

NISE Net Content Map:

Nanometer-sized things are very small, and often behave differently than larger things do.

Scientists and engineers have formed the interdisciplinary field of nanotechnology by investigating properties and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.

Nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanoengineering lead to new knowledge and innovations that weren't possible before.

Universal design:

Repeat and reinforce main ideas and concepts.

Provide multiple entry points and multiple ways of engagement

Provide physical and sensory access to all aspects of the program. Visitors can touch, see and hear different elements of the program.

Credits

Developed for the NISE Network with funding from the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.

Owning institution:

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Checklist

Scientist reviewed? check_reviewed

Peer reviewed? check_reviewed

Visitor evaluation? check_reviewed

Permissions

Creative Commons
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike

Standards

Physical science:

K-4: Properties of objects and materials

5-8: Properties and changes of properties in matter

9-12: Structure and properties of matter

Science and Technology:

K-4: Abilities of technological design

K-4: Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans

K-4: Understanding about science and technology

5-8: Abilities of technological design

5-8: Understanding about science and technology

9-12: Abilities of technological design

9-12: Understanding about science and technology

Science as inquiry:

K-4: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

K-4: Understanding about scientific inquiry

5-8: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

5-8: Understanding about scientific inquiry

9-12: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

9-12: Understanding about scientific inquiry

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

K-4: Science and technology in local challenges

9-12: Natural resources

9-12: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech Program Guide

Biomimicry Flipbook

Iridescence Try This! card

Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech

Overview

Description:

Big Idea:

Learning goals:

NISE Net Content Map:

Universal design:

Owning institution:

Checklist

Adaptable Formats

Nano Topics

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Permissions

Standards

Physical science:

Science and Technology:

Science as inquiry:

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Resources

Download all files (ZIP)

Files:

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