What’s included in this module?
| Teacher resources | 5 x lesson plans 5 x presentations 5 x teachers notes 12 x sample answer sheets 1 x supporting article |
| Learner resources | 5 x worksheets 4 x student notes 1 x design challenge 3 x supporting articles 1 x key terms page |
| Projects – experiments | 2 x biomimicry design activities 1 x research project 2 x activities |
Module key questions
• What have humans learned from Namib Desert beetles about how to catch water from air? What physical and behavioural adaptations allow Namib Desert beetles to survive with limited water?
• How do bees coordinate their behaviour to select a new location for a hive?
• How can principles of swarm intelligence be applied in human systems and computing?
• What are some examples of biomimetic products inspired by swarm intelligence?
• How do natural ecosystems stay in balance?
• What is industrial ecology, and why should we care about it?
• How do natural systems, such as wetlands, regulate excess nutrients?
• How can humans mimic nature to avoid upsetting the balance in natural systems?
• What properties and structures allow bones to be both lightweight and strong?
• How could we use biomimicry and our understanding of the bones to create new innovations?
Module alignments
| Grade | Ages | Grade 10-12 | 15-18 years |
| Term | n/a |
| CAPS subject | Life sciences / biology |
| Subject strand | Life processes in plants and animals Environmental studies Diversity, change and continuity |
| Sub-topics | Ecosystem balance and functioning Restoration and reparation Nitrogen cycle Human impact on the environment Human anatomy and bone structure and function |
This Module includes:
- Aligned content: This content is aligned with:Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) and the Independent Examinations Board (IEB). A key aspect of these modules is their flexibility and customisation across curricula, such as Cambridge and Steiner/Waldorf Education.
- A range of teaching strategies, skills and knowledge: The flow of the module has been structured using Project Based Learning and Design Thinking frameworks. A variety of pedagogical approaches are present between and within each lesson. Learners are challenged theoretically and practically through project and problem-based inquiry of real-world issues.
- Sustainable development goals: Each lesson is aligned with an appropriate United Nations Sustainable Development Goal(s).
Module Content
Module Includes
- 5 Lessons
