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Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 01 What Do We Learn From Animals?

Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 01 What Do We Learn From Animals?
Contributors
Beyond Benign
Beyond Benign, Inc.
Learning Objets
Summary
In this introductory lesson of the Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation unit, students are introduced to biomimicry as a strategy scientists and engineers use to design new technologies. Through word analysis and an interactive matching game, students explore how animals and plants inspire human innovations, including safer adhesives, building designs, and medical materials. The lesson establishes biomimicry and green chemistry as frameworks for sustainable problem solving and prepares students to investigate adhesives and materials through a sustainability lens in subsequent lessons.
Keyword Tags
Biomimicry
Animal-Inspired Design
Green Chemistry
Sustainable Materials
Adhesives
File (PDF, PPT, image, etc)
what_do_we_learn_from_animals-updated.docx
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
- Decode and define the term biomimicry using word analysis strategies.
- Explain how scientists and engineers derive inspiration from nature to design technologies.
- Identify examples of animal-inspired innovations.
- Engage in evidence-based discussion to justify biomimicry connections.
- Build foundational understanding for later lessons on adhesives and materials science.
Object Type
Lesson summaries
Audience
Elementary School
Other Faculty Educators/Teachers
Green Chemistry Principles
Waste Prevention
Designing Safer Chemicals
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Quality Education
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production
Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
No chemicals, laboratory equipment, or physical hazards

Interactive card-sorting activity only

Standard classroom supervision applies

Overall risk level: Low
NGSS Standards, if applicable
5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

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Submitted by

Tyler Schisler
Published on
Moderation state
Published
Collection
5th Grade Resources
Related Learning Objects
Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 02 Testing Tape
Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 03 Battle of the Glues
Properties of Adhesives: A Sticky Situation: 04 Just Glue It!

Comments

Laura L. Barnes

It would be helpful if there were links to all four lessons in each record so that users can easily access the entire module. The whole module could also be included on the Curated Collections page.

01/26/26 11:35am
Tyler Schisler

Hi Laura,

 

Thank you for this feedback! I have added in the other lessons as "Related Learning Objects" so users can easily access them. The plan is to have these learning objects in a Collection very soon!

01/26/26 12:47pm