1. Engineering Insects SISSI 2014-2015

2. Engineers Engineers make things to solve problems and to help people.
We can observe nature in action and use that knowledge to inspire new ideas.
We can copy things found in nature. This is called bio mimicry.

3. Bio mimicry Problem: How can I make something that will fly?
How can I make something that will stick?
How can I make something that will pierce, suck, or chew?

4. Bio mimicry
Airplane wings and body shapes modeled after birds

5. An ice pick for mountain climbers designed after the woodpecker

6. Boat hulls designed after the shapes of fish and sharks

7. Glow sticks made with light-up chemicals, like fireflies

8. Adaptations of Insects
Insects have compound eyes to see things up close from all directions.

9. Adaptations of Insects
Insect wings are thin membranes supported by a network of veins. The wings are designed so they can be folded.

10. Insect Flight
a wings b joints c dorsoventral muscles d longitudinal muscles

11. Adaptations of Insects
Grasshoppers have long legs for jumping. Their ears are located on their knees!

12. Adaptations of Insects
Grasshoppers unfold their long legs for jumping!

13. Adaptations of Insects
Bees have hairs that cause pollen to stick.

14. Adaptations of Insects
A housefly uses its sponge-like mouth to soak up liquid.

15. Adaptations of Insects
The mosquito’s mouth allows it to pierce the skin and suck blood.

16. Adaptations of Insects
The ant’s mouth is a mandible designed for chewing plant material.

17. Adaptations of Insects
The butterfly’s proboscis is a long, flexible tubelike mouth for sucking.

18. Engineering an Exoskeleton
Insects have structures that help protect them. They have a hard outer covering called an exoskeleton. Could you engineer an exoskeleton? It must be:
Hard
Waterproof
Lightweight
Able to bend in places
(joints)
What materials would you use?

19. Engineering Design Process
Define the problem
Come up with ideas (brainstorm)
Select the most promising design
Communicate the design
Create and test the design
Evaluate and revise the design

20. Insects Inspire Engineers
Can you invent something based on an insect?

21. Resources for Teachers