Animal Architects
Thursday, June 6th, 2019
Lesson Overview
This unit takes biological phenomena such as transpiration of plants, laws of thermodynamics, animal behavior and regulation of body temperature, to create innovative, eco-friendly housing and landscape designs. This unit specifically focuses on the need for sustainable development by implementing biomimicry into landscape/housing designs. Students are tasked to use their knowledge of the aforementioned topics to create a blueprint of a new, ‘better’ house.
Age Level or Subject:
- • AP Biology (11-12)
- • Construction (10-12)
- • Civil Engineering Architecture (11-12)
Lesson or Unit Objectives:
Students will be able to:
- Create a flow chart to explain the elements of typical residential cooling (HVAC).
- Create a flow chart to explain the process of transpiration (in plants). Use that concept to improve upon current residential cooling via functional landscape design.
- Assess and use concepts from termite mound, bird nest, and (beaver) dam construction to promote the use of biological resources to build residential homes.
- Use the law of thermodynamics and mammalian mechanisms of homeostasis to create a more energy efficient cooling system.
- Assess the impact of climate change on adaptations in animal behavior.
Full Lesson Plan Downloads
3D Printing, Animal Behaviors, AP Biology, Biomimcry, Construction, Engineering Design, Green Architecture, Landscape Design, Law of Thermodynamics, Transpiration
