G7-Bioinspired Gear Engineering Notebook

It’s in the Bag:
Engineering Bioinspired Gear
Name:
Prep
1
Activity
Criteria and Constraints
GOAL: Engineer a model home inspired by a shelter built by animals in nature.

Your client has specified the following criteria and constraints.
CRITERIA: CONSTRAINTS:
Things your model home must do Ways you or your model home are
limited
Your model home must be inspired by at
least one of the example animal shelters. You have 25 minutes to plan and create
Your model home must be water and your structure.
wind resistant.
Your model home must have an entrance You may use up to: 1 sheet of cardboard,
2 sheets of construction paper, 2
that allows for a 1/4 sheet of construction
plastic cups, 12” each of masking and
paper to easily be placed inside and
packaging tape, and any amount of
taken out. string and aluminum foil.
Your model home must be at least 5 A measuring tape and scissors may be
inches high and 5 inches wide. used as tools.
TESTING PROCEDURE:
1. Test your model home by placing it in front of the fan for 15 seconds. Record your results
on p. 4.
2. Place a 1/4 sheet of construction paper inside of your model home. Spray the top of your
model home with 15 sprays of water. Check the construction paper in your model home
for water. Measure how much water is inside and record your results on p. 4.
It’s in the Bag:

2 © Museum of Science
1
Activity
Animal Shelter Examples
Prep
Bird’s Nest
A bird’s nest is where a bird keeps
its eggs and raises its young. The
structure is usually made of intertwined
and woven twigs and leaves. Often,
birds use mud to seal the woven
pieces together.
Beaver Lodge
These are structures built by beavers
to keep out predators, like coyotes
and bears. Beavers make their lodges
out of mud, stones, leaves, sticks, and
bark to make a large and very strong
structure.
Termite Mound
Termites live in a nest at the base of
a mound that has many chambers
and tunnels. Termites create a mixture
of earth materials and saliva that
makes a concrete-like, water-resistant
material that surrounds their mound.
Wasp Nest
Wasps are able to chew up and soften
wood fibers in order to make a paper
pulp they can use to construct a nest.
The mixture of paper fiber and saliva
they use creates a water-resistant
building material.
It’s in the Bag:
Prep
1
Activity
Engineering a Model Home
Which animal shelter(s) will you draw inspiration from?

Bird’s Nest Beaver Lodge Termite Mound Wasp Nest
Draw a plan for your model home design below:
How did your model home move in the wind?
slid tipped or fell pushed no movement

How much water dripped on the construction paper in your model home?
none spots of less than 1/2 inch <

spots that are 1/2 inch to 1 inch
It’s in the Bag:
spots over 1 inch +
2
Activity
Mystery Fabric Investigation
Prep
Gather Materials:
1 spray bottle filled with water 1 ping pong ball
1 measuring tape 1 rubber band
1 sheet of construction paper 3 pieces of one type of mystery fabric
1 sheet of sandpaper
Testing Procedure: WATER

Place a sheet of construction paper underneath a piece of your mystery fabric. Spray five
squirts of water from the spray bottle onto the same spot on your fabric. Remove your fabric
and see how much water seeps through to the paper below.
Testing Results
Measure the diameter of any resulting water spot(s) and record your findings below.
No water spot 1/4 inch water 3/4 inch water 1 inch water Greater than 1
spot spot spot inch water spot
Testing Procedure: DURABILITY

Wrap a piece of your mystery fabric around the ping pong ball. Tie the remaining fabric
together with a rubber band. Rub the ball on sandpaper for 5 seconds. Remove your fabric
and see how big of a hole has formed.
Testing Results
Measure the diameter of any resulting holes and record your findings below.
No damage 1/4 inch hole 3/4 inch hole 1 inch hole Greater than 1
inch hole
It’s in the Bag:

Prep
2
Activity
Testing Procedure: STRETCHABILITY

Mystery Fabric Investigation
Side 1
Fabrics can stretch differently depending on the way in
Side 2
which they are woven. Test the stretchability along Sides
1 and 2.
Side 1
Side 1 Test
Place a ruler along Side 1 of the mystery fabric (Image A).
What is the length of the fabric What is the length of the fabric How much did it stretch?
when you are not stretching it? when you are stretching it
(See Image B) horizontally until it no longer
gives? (See Image C)
inches inches inches
Side 2 Test
Side 2
Rotate the ruler so it is resting along Side 2 (Image A).
What is the length of the fabric What is the length of the fabric How much did it stretch?
when you are not stretching it? when you are stretching it
(See Image B) horizontally until it no longer
gives? (See Image C)
inches inches inches
IMAGE A IMAGE B IMAGE C
It’s in the Bag:

1
Activity
Camouflage
Many animals blend perfectly into their environment, making it difficult for predators or
prey to see them. This strategy of protection is called camouflage, and it helps many
animals hide in plain sight. There are four basic types of camouflage. Can you list other
examples of animals that use camouflage to protect themselves or hunt?
1. CONCEALING COLORATION: Animals that use this type of camouflage have
coloring and patterns that match their environments.
Can you spot the Two-Tailed Spider?

2. DISGUISE: These animals are not what they appear to be. If what you thought
was a leaf or a stick suddenly flew away, then you saw an animal that uses disguise
to blend in.
Just a leaf, right? This butterfly disguises its wings to look like a dead leaf.
It’s in the Bag:

Activity
1
3. DISRUPTIVE COLORATION: This type of camouflage works by breaking up
Camouflage
the outlines of an animal with a strong contrasting pattern. This is useful for confusing
predators.
Try picking out just one zebra!
4. MIMICRY: Animals use this type of camouflage to look like other animals that are
known to be poisonous or dangerous.
An ant, you say? This is actually a katydid. In its larval stages, it

mimics a more dangerous adult ant.
It’s in the Bag:

1
Activity
Camouflage Challenge
Clients: Ann, Joe, Alyse, scientific researchers
What kind of garment do you need?

We are studying a rare endangered bird species called
the Maple bird. These birds are skittish and will not appear
if they see a human. They live in the deciduous forest.
We need camouflage fabric that will allow us to blend into
different parts of the forest so that we can observe the birds
without scaring them away.
Testing Rubric
Below are charts indicating how the color and pattern of your fabrics will be scored.
Score
3 The colors on the fabric match the background image exactly.
2 The colors on the fabric are slightly different than the background image.
1 The colors on the fabric are very different than the background image.
Score
3 The pattern on the fabric matches the background image exactly.
2 The pattern on the fabric is slightly different than the background image.
1 The pattern on the fabric is very different than the background image.
It’s in the Bag:

Activity
1
Use the space below to plan your fabric designs.
Camouflage Plan
What are some common patterns in the deciduous forest image you want to
incorporate into your fabric? What materials will you use to create your pattern? Make
your plan below.
TEST RESULTS
What was the most common score for the colors on your fabric?
1 2 3
What was the most common score for the patterns on your fabric?
1 2 3
It’s in the Bag:
2
Activity
Plant and Animal Protection
Lobster
Lobsters have a hard outer shell that protects
them from predators. When lobsters grow, they
can become too big for their shells and must shed
them in order for a new shell to harden.
Armadillo
Armadillos are covered in hard bands of shells
that cover the upper portion of their bodies. These
bands allow the armadillo to fold or roll into a ball
shape when threatened.
Porcupine
Porcupine quills have barbs along their length that
allow them to attach to anything that they come in
contact with. Porcupines can release these quills
when a predator tries to touch them.
Barrel Cactus
Cacti spines provide protection from many animals
that might be interested in eating the plant. The
spines also create shade that protects the plant
from the hot desert sun.
It’s in the Bag:

Activity
2 Protection
Mocking Bird
Mocking birds use songs to attract mates and
communicate to other birds about their territory.
They have the ability to mimic sounds that they
hear. Some scientists think that the mimicking can
help mocking birds avoid fights with other birds,
and may even help them recruit other species of
birds to help ward off an attack from a predator.
Howler Monkey
Howler monkeys are the loudest land animal
on Earth. Their howls can be heard from a
distance of over 3 miles. Howler monkeys howl to
communicate with one another and to mark their
territory.
Foxglove
Foxglove is a plant that grows up to 3 feet tall with
drooping purple, pink, or white flowers. Every part
of this plant contains a poison that can cause
nausea, vomiting, and heart problems in any
animal that eats it.
Bombardier Beetle
When bombardier beetles feel threatened, they
create a hot, smelly liquid that they can shoot
at predators. They do this by allowing the two
separate chemicals located in the rear of their
abdomens to join together.
It’s in the Bag:

2
Activity
Protection
Client: Angelina, roller derby player
What kind of garment do you need?

I play roller derby, which is a sport where a lot of pushing
and shoving can occur. Safety equipment is key! I have a
great helmet and elbow and knee pads. I am looking for a
piece of gear that will protect my stomach from a hit so I
will not get the wind knocked out of me.
Testing Procedure
After you have created your bioinspired gear, place it over a block of floral foam.
Tie several washers together with a piece of string and drop it from 1 foot above the
gear. Does it leave a mark? What about if you drop it from 3 feet? 5 feet?
It’s in the Bag:

Activity
2
What animal(s) or plant(s) will you use as bioinspiration?
Protective Garment
How will those animal(s) or plant(s) inspire your design?
Draw your design and list your materials below.

Materials List
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
Testing Results
Measure the diameter of any resulting divots (marks) in the floral foam and record your
findings below.
No divots 1/4 inch divot 3/4 inch divot 1 inch divot Greater than 1
inch divot
Based on this data, how would you improve your design if you had more time?
It’s in the Bag:

3
Activity
Bioluminescence in Nature
Comb Jellyfish Anglerfish
It is thought that the comb jellyfish’s Female anglerfish have a rod with a
bioluminescence may be a defense ball of light on the end of their snout.
mechanism, but scientists are still not This light is used to draw in prey in the
sure. A flash of light could startle a deep sea where there is no sunlight.
predator, or perhaps attract another The bioluminescence is made by
predator to eat what would have bacteria that live in the organ, known
eaten the jellyfish. as the esca.
Blackdragon Fish Firefly
The blackdragon fish has Fireflies are winged beetles with a

bioluminescent lights next to each lower abdomen that can produce
eye that it can use to look for prey or light. Adult fireflies use their
mates. There is a light off of its chin to bioluminescent lights to attract mates.
lure in prey. It also has photophores It is thought that larvae use their light
(an organ that emits light) along its to warn predators of their bad taste.
body which light up when it feels
threatened.
It’s in the Bag:
Activity
3 Design a Switch
Client: Jamie, spy

What kind of technology do you need?
I am a spy. It is important for me to communicate
information without others knowing. Sometimes I use lights
to send messages to others in Morse code. For my next
mission, there is a light hidden in a flag that is 2 feet too
high for me to reach with my hand. I need a switch that can
turn the light on and off from at least 2 feet away.
Testing Procedure
After you have designed your switch, have one person in the group hold the flag
horizontally from one side. Make sure the LED light is visible. Have the tester stand
at least 2 feet away from the cardboard sheet and test the switch by turning the light
on and off. If your switch works, move on to the “Additional Challenge” below.
Additional Challenge: Send the message “hi” in Morse code using the switch you
have designed. Then try a longer word, like “help,” that includes dots and dashes.
Morse code:
Morse code uses short and long sounds or lights to represent letters.
• is a short light (turn light on and off quickly)
— is a long light (turn light on for a few seconds and turn off)
H: • • • • I: • •
H: • • • • E: • L: • — • • P: • — — •
Use the space below to plan your switch design.
It’s in the Bag:

3
Activity
LED Setup
Follow these instructions to attach the LED and battery onto the cardboard sheet.
Step 1. Gather the following materials:

1 battery (3V) 1 cardboard sheet (4” x 8”) 1 LED
1 pen 1 piece of cotton muslin (6” x 12”) packaging tape
Step 2. Use a pen to start two small holes in

the cardboard where the ends of the LED will
go.
Step 3. Place the piece of cotton muslin on the

sheet of cardboard.
Step 4. Gently push the ends of the LED

through the cotton muslin. Then, carefully
guide the ends of the LED through the holes
on the cardboard. Be careful not to damage
the ends of the LED.
Tip: Use the battery to check which lead
should match to which side of the battery.
Step 5. Fold over the ends of the LED. Place

the negative (-) side of the battery on top of
the shorter LED end.
Step 6. Tape the battery down to the

cardboard. Be sure to tape only the lower
half of the battery. (The metal wire and
battery must touch to work.)
Step 7. Press the free LED end to the positive

(+) side of the battery to light the LED.
Troubleshooting: If the LED does not light up, make sure:

• the longer end of the LED is touching the positive (+) side of the battery.
• both ends of the LED have direct contact with the battery.
It’s in the Bag:
Activity
4 Client Cards
Your final design challenge is to engineer a bioinspired bag or pack for one of four
clients.
Client: Kai, photographer

“I am going to the Amazon jungle to photograph a rare jaguar. I need
a bioinspired bag or pack to carry my sensitive camera equipment.”
Criteria Constraints
The bag or pack must blend into the You may only use the available
jungle, so I do not disturb the jaguar I am materials to complete your design.
trying to photograph.
The bag or pack must protect my camera You may only use up to 1/8 cup of
equipment from bumps or falls. each color of paint.
The bag or pack must include a light You will have two sessions to engineer
that can be turned on and off while the bag or pack.
being worn, so I can communicate to my
assistant without disturbing the animals.
Client: Val, athlete

“I compete in many sports, including soccer, volleyball, and tennis. I
need a bioinspired bag or pack to carry my equipment and personal
belongings.”
The bag or pack must blend into one of You may only use the available
my three sports arenas, so it is not stolen materials to complete your design.
during practice.
The bag or pack must protect my You may only use up to 1/8 cup of
personal belongings from balls that might each color of paint.
hit it during practice.
The bag or pack must include a light that You will have two sessions to engineer
can be turned on while being worn, so I the bag or pack.
can be seen while walking home at night
after practice.
It’s in the Bag:

4
Activity
Client Cards
Client: Quinn, musician

“I play the flute in the city orchestra. I need a bioinspired bag or pack
to carry my instrument between rehearsals and concerts.”
The bag or pack must blend into my You may only use the available
rehearsal studio, so it is not stolen. materials to complete your design.
The bag or pack must protect my flute You may only use up to 1/8 cup of
from bumps or falls. each color of paint.
can be turned on while being worn, so I the bag or pack.
can be seen while walking home at night
after concerts.
Client: Cameron, secret service agent

“I work as a secret service agent. I need a bioinspired bag or pack to
carry my personal belongings during assignments.”
The bag or pack must easily blend into my You may only use the available
suit, as not to draw attention to it or me. materials to complete your design.
The bag or pack must protect my You may only use up to 1/8 cup of
personal belongings from any bumps or each color of paint.
falls it might take during my assignments.
can be turned on and off while being the bag or pack.
worn, so I can communicate to my fellow
agents without interrupting anyone.
Testing Procedure
Camouflage will be tested by other youth, who will score how well the colors and
patterns of your bag blend into your client’s scene.
Protection will be tested by placing a block of wet floral foam inside the bag or pack
and dropping several washers on it from 1 foot above it.
Light will be tested by wearing the bag and turning the light on and off. The light must
be visible from at least 5 feet away.
It’s in the Bag:
Activity
4 Plan
Write or draw your final plan for your bioinspired bag or pack below. Be sure to include
your forms of bioinspiration.
Notes:
__________________________________
n __________________________________
Pla __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
It’s in the Bag:
5
Activity
Test Results
Test your bioinspired bag or pack using the sheet below. You may want to refer to this
sheet as you think about how you would improve your bag or pack in the future!
Camouflage
What was the most common score for the color on your fabric?
1 2 3
What was the most common score for the patterns on your fabric?
1 2 3
Protection
Place the floral foam inside your bag or pack. Tie several washers together with
a piece of string and drop them from 1 foot above the bag or pack. Measure the
diameter of any resulting divots (marks) in the floral foam and record your findings.
No divots 1/4 inch divot 3/4 inch divot 1 inch divot Greater than 1
inch divot
Light
Can the light be turned on (and off, if required by your client) using a switch while the
bag or pack is being worn?
Yes No
Think About It
How could you improve your bioinspired bag or pack?
It’s in the Bag:

Activity
6 Communicate
During the Showcase, you will get to share information about your engineering challenge with
people who are not familiar with the problem. What are some things you might want to tell
them about engineering bioinspired gear?
Communicate
It’s in the Bag:

6
Activity
My Engineering Profile
Think about the skills you gained as an engineer, and fill out your engineering profile.
Communication Persistence
• I give valuable feedback to others • I learn from failure
• I like giving presentations • I keep trying until I succeed
Creativity Teamwork
• I imagine lots of ideas • I work well in teams
• I come up with new ways of doing some- • I like giving and receiving feedback on
thing my work
Critical Thinking Technical Skills

• I solve problems • I make things
• I make sense of complicated information • I like working with different materials
Leadership
• I lead teams well
• I make sure everyone has a voice
Which skills have you used? What skills have you learned?
It’s in the Bag:

Engineering Design Process
Understand the engineering problem.

• Define the problem in your own words.
Gather details.
• Learn about what others have done.
• Explore possible materials or processes you could use for your design.
• Conduct science experiments to gather data.
Come up with different ways to solve the problem.

• Use your creativity to think of lots of ideas that could work.
• Evaluate the pros and cons of each idea.
• Pick one idea that is a good starting point.
Figure out the details of your design.

• Discuss how it will work.
• Draw diagrams and list materials.
• Decide how you will test and evaluate.
Build your design.

• Follow your plan.
• Fix small problems.
• Record any changes to your plan.
Evaluate how well your design works.

• Test multiple times.
• Record your observations and findings.
• Figure out which parts are working well and which parts are not.
Make changes to your design based on testing.

• Decide what to change.
• Put your changes into a new plan.
• Build your improved design and test again.
Share your solution with others.

• Explain strengths and weaknesses of your solution.
• Share how you used the Engineering Design Process.
• Ask people for feedback.
It’s in the Bag:


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It’s in the Bag:

Engineering Bioinspired Gear

GOAL: Engineer a model home inspired by a shelter built by animals in nature.

It’s in the Bag:

Which animal shelter(s) will you draw inspiration from?

How did your model home move in the wind?

slid tipped or fell pushed no movement

none spots of less than 1/2 inch <

Testing Procedure: WATER

Testing Procedure: DURABILITY

It’s in the Bag:

Testing Procedure: STRETCHABILITY

Fabrics can stretch differently depending on the way in

inches inches inches

inches inches inches

IMAGE A IMAGE B IMAGE C

It’s in the Bag:

Can you spot the Two-Tailed Spider?

It’s in the Bag:

Try picking out just one zebra!

An ant, you say? This is actually a katydid. In its larval stages, it

It’s in the Bag:

Clients: Ann, Joe, Alyse, scientific researchers

What kind of garment do you need?

It’s in the Bag:

It’s in the Bag:

It’s in the Bag:

Client: Angelina, roller derby player

What kind of garment do you need?

It’s in the Bag:

How will those animal(s) or plant(s) inspire your design?

Draw your design and list your materials below.

It’s in the Bag:

Comb Jellyfish Anglerfish

Blackdragon Fish Firefly

The blackdragon fish has Fireflies are winged beetles with a

Client: Jamie, spy

Use the space below to plan your switch design.

It’s in the Bag:

Step 1. Gather the following materials:

Step 2. Use a pen to start two small holes in

Step 3. Place the piece of cotton muslin on the

Step 4. Gently push the ends of the LED

Step 5. Fold over the ends of the LED. Place

Step 6. Tape the battery down to the

Step 7. Press the free LED end to the positive

Troubleshooting: If the LED does not light up, make sure:

Client: Kai, photographer

Client: Val, athlete

It’s in the Bag:

Client: Quinn, musician

Client: Cameron, secret service agent

It’s in the Bag:

It’s in the Bag:

Critical Thinking Technical Skills

It’s in the Bag:

Understand the engineering problem.

Come up with different ways to solve the problem.

Figure out the details of your design.

Build your design.

Evaluate how well your design works.

Make changes to your design based on testing.

Share your solution with others.