Adapting Human Gear

Students think about the adaptations of animals and create a product for humans. Example: a glove that allows you to climb up walls. Children become industrial designers. They think of a problem and come up with a solution for a new product.

Next Generation Science Standard (First Grade): Structure, Function, and Information Processing

Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.

Examples from NGSS:

turtle or acorn shell bicycle helmet, knee pads, backpack

animal tails and plant roots to stabilize a structure

plant thorns or porcupine quills to keep out intruders

exceptional eye sight or hearing to detect intruders

animal scales to protect from predators

Other Examples:

rattle to warn predators

beak to crack nuts

blubber to keep warm

gills to breath under water

change color to hide or communicate

etc

click here for templates: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LEHa0p38D0OZI7QQiDMqA_xfvPiSjDm0/view?usp=sharing

Color Communicators

Animal Adaptations: Students color a chameleon and pin it up somewhere in the classroom. Can you find their camouflaged chameleons?! - inspired by the Children's Museum of Houston Butterfly Hunt.

Why chameleons change color, not for camouflage, but to communicate - NatGeo

Visit Education.com for a chameleon color changing experiment!

Literacy Connection: The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

Writing: What is your chameleon trying to communicate? For example, if he changed to blend in with the map, does he want to travel?

You could also do this activity with octopi or cuttlefish templates.

chameleon template

Note: You could also trace the shape of the chameleon on wax paper. Have students place the template over things to make the chameleon change. Check out Pieces by Polly