Designs Inspired by Nature

First grade is exploring Project Lead The Way’s module, Designs Inspired by Nature. In this module, students learn about parents and offspring. They make observations that offspring are like, but not exactly like, their parents. They learn how parents and offspring communicate with each other in different ways. This communication forms patterns in behavior. Students explore how these patterns in behavior help offspring survive.  

After students establish an understanding of parents and offspring, they discover how plants and animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Then, students learn about biomimicry—learning from nature to solve a human problem. Using the knowledge and skills gained throughout the module, students follow the design process to design a model of an outdoor shelter that mimics the external parts of plants and/or animals.

Family Connection

Suggestions for ways that you can build upon the concepts in this module at home include:

1. Plant seeds and watch the plants grow. Take photographs of the plants to document the changes. As a family, look at the photographs of the seedlings compared to the adult plant. Discuss how the seedlings are like, but not exactly like, their parents.
2. Visit your local zoo. While there, pay close attention to how the animals communicate with each other. Do they communicate with sound, touch, or sight? Discuss how this communication helps the animals to grow, survive, or meet their needs.
3. Using materials found around the home, design something that is inspired by nature. Explain how its structure impacts its function.

Shantile Thomas

1st & 2nd Grade Science & Non Fictional Studies