Ideas From Nature
Nature Guides & Activities
PURPOSE: Design an invention by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. | GRADE LEVELS: Level 1-3
Summary Of Activities
- Step #1: View the Loops Scoops video “Ideas From Nature Example” highlighting the invention of velcro provided in the Media section of this topic. The idea of velcro (a human-made product) was inspired by natural phenomena (burrs getting stuck in a dog’s fur) and is now used widely to hold or secure things together in a variety of different ways. A prevalent example is in shoes! Take a look at your shoe collection or around your house, can find something that has velcro? The “hooks” on the velcro mimic (or copy) the “hooks naturally found on burrs and some seeds in nature. When two pieces of velcro are pushed together they hold on tight! This makes them great at holding shoes securely on your feet while you walk just like burrs or seeds hold onto animal fur so they can travel and find new places to grow!
- Step #2: The “hooks” on the velcro mimic (or copy) the “hooks naturally found on burrs and some seeds in nature. When two pieces of velcro are pushed together they hold on tight! This makes them great at holding shoes securely on your feet while you walk just like burrs or seeds hold onto animal fur so they can travel and find new places to grow!
- Step #3: Complete the activity “What Ideas Come From Nature?” located in the Field Notebook materials.
- Step #4: Thinking about the place you live, complete the activity “My Idea” found in the Field Notebook materials. Look closely at the “Ideas From Nature” cards found in the Media materials. Based on the photos and information on them, try to think of an idea for a new invention that would make sure you were prepared and stayed safe on a hike after you make your list of things you need to be prepared for.
- Step #5: Design your invention! Gather art supplies from around the house and draw your idea from nature using the “My Design” sheet found in the Field Notebook materials. Remember: your design should mimic (or copy) a characteristic of one or more of the plants or animals found in the Ideas From Nature Cards. Can you do it?
- Step #6: Share your creation with our Facebook and Instagram community – don’t forget to tag us @getoutdoorsnv!
Exploring Nature-Inspired Inventions
Western Banded Gecko
Western Banded Geckos move very fast! They live in places with lots of rocks and places to hide. How do you think they are able to climb up and over rocks and surfaces so easily?
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep are great climbers, it helps them stay safe! They live in steep, rocky places. How can they run, jump, and climb without falling?
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagles are a type of predatory bird called a raptor. They are excellent flyers and able to turn, dive, and completely change directions very quickly when hunting! Would those skills be useful in another way?
Desert Tortoise
Desert Tortoises can wait up to a year between drinks! They don’t move very quickly and sometimes it is hard fort hem to hide from danger. How do you think they protect themselves?
Jackrabbits
Jackrabbits always pay attention to what is going on around them! They eat grasses and leaves. How do you think they stay cool in the summer heat?
Joshua Tree
Joshua Trees only grow in the Mojave Desert! They use the sun to make their own energy, but too much sun can cause them damage. As they grow, their leaves fall to cover their branches.
Barrel Cacti
Barrel Cacti can live up to 100 years old! They are experts at soaking up water whenever it is available – so they never run out! Do you ever need to store water?
