Lesson: Bionic Beasts

Use images to prompt student observations and predictions.

• Have students examine the images in “Bionic Beasts.” Ask: What do you notice about the animals? Discuss.

• Define the vocabulary word prosthesis (an artificial body part, like an artificial limb). Then ask: How do you think prosthetic devices for animals are made? What steps do you think are involved? Create a list of ideas about the steps.

Use a video and a graphic organizer to summarize the engineering design process.

• Create an empty flowchart showing the engineering design process steps from the skills sheet (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Test and Create, Improve). Then compare the steps to the list from step 1. Ask: Why does an arrow direct us back to step 1 after step 5? (Testing could bring up new problems that need solving, or new ideas that need testing.)

• Share the “Engineering Solutions” skills sheet. Watch the video “3D Prosthetics for Derby.” Stop at minute 1:00, just after footage of Derby’s wheels. Discuss how the design of Derby’s wheels used the engineering design process.

• Finish watching the video. Have students complete the skills sheet, summarizing the design and engineering process of Derby’s new prostheses. Discuss their responses (see answer key).

Read an article about a designer of prosthetic devices for animals.

• Preview vocabulary in bold from the article (prosthetic, anatomy, 3D printer). Read the article aloud to students.

• Have students collaboratively find examples of how Derrick Campana uses the engineering design process. Ask: What evidence is there that he designs limbs and braces using the steps: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Test and Improve?

Obtain information using a paired text about an eagle’s prosthetic beak.

• Have students complete the skills sheet “Building Body Parts.” Encourage students to look at the photos and predict what the article is about before reading it. Encourage students to identify steps of the design process in the text.

Construct explanations about prosthetic limbs; design solutions using the engineering design process.

• Have students complete the “Investigate It!” questions on page 15. Discuss their answers (see answer key).

• Brainstorm different animals and describe how they use their limbs besides walking or running. (ducks swim with webbed feet; frogs use their legs to leap, etc.) Students could make observations of local wildlife and pets.

• Have students plan a design for a prosthetic limb that could help an animal be mobile again. Students can use the “Engineering Solutions” template to help guide them through the process.

⇨ Learning Journey: Pretend you’re one of the animals Campana has helped and write a thank-you card to him. Think about which animal you want to be, what you want to write, and what colors and illustrations you want to include in the card.