ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK It s in the Bag: Name: I Museum of Science
Activity 1 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: Things your model home must do Your model home must be inspired by at least one of the example animal shelters. Your model home must be water and wind resistant. Your model home must have an entrance that allows for a 1/4 sheet of construction paper to be easily placed inside and taken out. Your model home must be at least 5 inches high and 5 inches wide. CONSTRAINTS: Ways you or your model home are limited You have 25 minutes to plan and create your structure. You may use up to: 1 sheet of cardboard, 2 sheets of construction paper, 2 plastic cups, 12 each of masking and packaging tape, and any amount of string and aluminum foil. A measuring tape and scissors may be 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 pg. 3. 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 pg. 3. 1 Museum of Science
Animal Shelter Examples Activity 1 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 Dam These are structures built by beavers to keep out predators, like coyotes and bears. Beavers make their dams 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. 2 Museum of Science
Activity 2 Engineering a Model Home Which animal shelter(s) will you draw inspiration from? Bird s Nest Beaver Dam Termite Mound Wasp Nest Draw a plan for your model home design below: How did your model home move in the wind? slides tips or falls 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 spots over 1 inch 3 Museum of Science
2 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 helps many animals hide in plain sight. There are four basic types of camouflage. Can you list more 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. Activity 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 flies 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. 4 Museum of Science
Activity 2 Camouflage 3. DISRUPTIVE COLORATION: This type of camouflage works by breaking up 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. 5 Museum of Science
Camouflage Challenge Activity 2 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 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. 6 Museum of Science
Activity 2 Camouflage Plan Use the space below to plan your fabric designs. 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 color on your fabric? 1 2 3 What was the most common score for the patterns on your fabric? 1 2 3 7 Museum of Science
Plant and Animal Protection Activity 3 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 make them easily able 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. 8 Museum of Science
Activity 3 Plant and Animal 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 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 three miles. Howler monkeys howl to communicate with one another and to mark their territory. Foxglove Foxglove is a plant that grows 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. Bombadier Beetle When bombadier beetles feel threatened, they create a hot, smelly liquid that the beetle can shoot at predators. They do this by allowing two separate chemicals located in the rear of their abdomens to join together. 9 Museum of Science
Protection Activity 3 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 won t get the wind knocked out of me. Testing Procedure After you have created your bioinspired gear, place it over a block of floral foam. Drop the 10 gram weight from 1 foot above the gear. Does it leave a mark? What about if you drop it from 3 feet? 5 feet? 10 Museum of Science
Activity 3 Protective Garment What animal(s) or plant(s) will you use as bioinspiration? 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 Based on this data, how would you improve your design if you had more time? 11 Museum of Science
Bioluminescence in Nature Activity 4 Comb Jellyfish Angler Fish It is thought that the comb jelly fish s bioluminescence may be a defense mechanism, but scientists are still not sure. A flash of light could startle a predator, or perhaps attract another predator to eat what would have eaten the jellyfish. Female angler fish have a rod with a ball of light on the end of their snout. This light is used to draw in prey in the deep sea where there is no sunlight. The bioluminescence is made by bacteria that live in the organ, known as the esca. Blackdragon Fish Firefly The blackdragon fish has bioluminescent lights next to each eye that it can use to look for prey or mates. There is a light off of its chin to lure in prey. It also has photophores (an organ that emits light) along its body which light up when threatened. Fireflies are winged beetles with a lower abdomen that can produce light. Adult fireflies use their bioluminescent lights to attract mates. It is thought that larvae use their light to warn predators of their bad taste. 12 Museum of Science
Activity 4 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 two 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 two 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 two 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. 13 Museum of Science
LED Set Up Activity 4 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 pencil 1 piece of cotton muslin fabric 1 LED tape Step 2. Use a pencil 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. 14 Museum of Science
5 Your final design challenge is to engineer a bioinspired bag or pack for one of four clients. Activity Client: Kai, photographer Client Cards 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 The bag or pack must blend into the jungle, so I do not disturb the jaguar I am trying to photograph. The bag or pack must protect my camera equipment from bumps or falls. The bag or pack must include a light that can be turned on and off while being worn, so I can communicate to my assistant without disturbing the animals. Constraints You may only use the available materials to complete your design. You may only use up to 1/8 cup of paint of each color. You will have two sessions to engineer the bag or pack. 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. Criteria The bag or pack must blend into one of my three sports arenas, so it is not stolen during practice. The bag or pack must protect my personal belongings from balls that might hit it during practice. The bag or pack must include a light that can be turned on while being worn, so I can be seen while walking home at night after practice. Constraints You may only use the available materials to complete your design. You may only use up to 1/8 cup of paint of each color. You will have two sessions to engineer the bag or pack. 15 Museum of Science
Client Cards Activity 5 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. Criteria The bag or pack must blend into my rehearsal studio, so it is not stolen. The bag or pack must protect my flute from bumps or falls. The bag or pack must include a light that can be turned on while being worn, so I can be seen while walking home at night after concerts. Client: Cameron, secret service agent Testing Procedure Camouflage will be tested by other youths, who will score how well the color 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 a 10 gram weight on it from one foot above it. Light will be tested by wearing the bag and turning the light on and off. The light must be seen from at least five feet away. Constraints You may only use the available materials to complete your design. You may only use up to 1/8 cup of paint of each color. You will have two sessions to engineer the bag or pack. I work as a secret service agent. I need a bioinspired bag or pack to carry my personal belongings during assignments. Criteria The bag or pack must easily blend into my suit, as not to draw attention to it or me. The bag or pack must protect my personal belongings from any bumps or falls it might take during my assignments. The bag or pack must include a light that can be turned on and off while being worn, so I can communicate to my fellow agents without interrupting anyone. Constraints You may only use the available materials to complete your design. You may only use up to 1/8 cup of paint of each color. You will have two sessions to engineer the bag or pack. 16 Museum of Science
Activity 5 Plan Write or draw your final plan for your bioinspired bag or pack below. Be sure to include your forms of bioinspiration. Plan Notes: 17 Museum of Science
Test Results Test your bioinspired bag or pack using the sheet below. You may want to refer to this6 sheet as you think about how you would improve your bag or pack in the future! Activity 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. Drop the 10 gram weight from 1 foot away. 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 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? 18 Museum of Science
6 My Engineering Profile Now that you have worked on this engineering challenge, think about how your engineering skills have changed. Check off your engineering strengths. Circle any engineering skills you would still like to work on. Activity communicating building things imagining being creative drawing working on a team leading a team analyzing data making a plan offering critical feedback on others work receiving feedback on your own work moving forward after something doesn t work thinking of different ways to do something solving problems troubleshooting problems What do you think you would like to engineer next? 19 Museum of Science
The Engineering Design Process Identify Understand the engineering problem. Define the problem in your own words. Investigate 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. Imagine 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. Plan Figure out the details of your design. Discuss how it will work. Draw diagrams and list materials. Decide how you will test and evaluate. Create Build your design. Follow your plan. Fix small problems. Record any changes to your plan. Test 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. Improve 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. Communicate Share your solution with others. Explain strengths and weaknesses of your solution. Share how you used the Engineering Design Process. Ask people for feedback. 20 Museum of Science
Museum of Science