Biomimicry and Conserving Desert Resources Part 1

In this lesson, students will learn about desert plant and animal adaptations and the concept of biomimicry. Students will discuss examples of biomimicry in nature and in the real world and will explore reasons why and how society can mimic biological strategies to address needs. Students will work in groups or with partners to research a desert species and observe the form and function of specific structures in that species that have developed over the course of evolution to solve problems with conditions in desert ecosystems. Students will then design and sketch a real-world replacement of all or part of the species they chose using the principles of biomimicry.