Student Project: Biomimicry: From Adaptations to Inventions
Design a Superhero
Think of what superhuman powers Spiderman possesses; the ability to fly, incredibly
strong, can see far distances… Where did he get such amazing characteristics? Perhaps
you should look at the natural world around you for the answers. The organisms that exist
on our planet have evolved some amazing adaptations over the billions of years of their
existence that enable them to survive in some very unlikely habitats.
Your task:
Design your own superhero using the adaptations of at least 3 different organisms. You
can create a poster or Powerpoint presentation to illustrate your superhero. Any other
project presentation ideas must be approved first by the teacher.
You must include the following in your project:
 Name of your superhero
 List of at least 3 super characteristics he/she possesses
 An image of the 3 organisms whose adaptations you used
 An paragraph description of each adaptation (3 total) that includes:
o The scientific and common name of the organism
o The special adaptation of the organism
o An explanation of the nanotechnology used to create your superhero’s
strengths (Describe what nanotechnology has revealed about how the
organism uses its adaptation.)
Optional: A picture of your superhero using their super powers.
Biomimicry: From Adaptations to Inventions
http://mathinscience.info
©MathScience Innovation Center, 2008
Where to start your research:
Click on the LINK if using the digital form of this page, or type in the web address as listed.
 Wired Science: “Nanotech Discovery Could Lead to Spiderman Suit” LINK
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/08/nanotech-discov.html
Biomimicry Web sites:
 Biomimicry Institute: LINK
http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/
 Biomimicry Guild: LINK
http://www.biomimicryguild.com/
 Center for Biologically Inspired Design: LINK
http://www.cbid.gatech.edu/
 American Museum of Natural History: LINK
http://www.biomechanics.bio.uci.edu/_html/nh_biomech/pufferfish/puffer.htm
 MSNBC “Ten Innovations inspired by Nature”: LINK
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27285982/?pg=1#Tech_WeirdScience_InnovationsInspiredByNature
Nanotechnology Web sites:
 Nanozone: LINK
http://nanozone.org/
 Nanooze: LINK
http://www.nanooze.org/
 Biological Nanotechnology NASA: LINK
http://www.gma.org/nano/nanotechnology_homepage.html
 Science Museum of London, Nanotechnology: Small Science, Big Deal: LINK
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna/nano/
 National Geographic: Nanotechnology: LINK
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/06/nanotechnology/video-interactive
 Carnegie Mellon NanoRobotics Lab: LINK
http://nanolab.me.cmu.edu/
Biomimicry: From Adaptations to Inventions
http://mathinscience.info
©MathScience Innovation Center, 2008
GRADING RUBRIC
Design a Superhero Project
from “Biomimicry: From Adaptation to Inventions”
What your project needs
1. Name for your superhero.
2. List of 3 super characteristics of your
superhero.
3. Image of the 3 organisms whose
adaptations you used.
4. Each article includes scientific and
common name. 5 pts. each
5. Each article includes the adaptation of
the organism. 10 pts. each
6. Each article explains the connection to
nanotechnology innovations. 10 pts. each
7. Article should be at least 1 paragraph
typed.
8. Neatness and completeness
Points
possible
5
Points
Received
15
15
15
30
30
5
5
TOTAL
Out of
120 pts.
GRADE: _____
COMMENTS:
Biomimicry: From Adaptations to Inventions
http://mathinscience.info
©MathScience Innovation Center, 2008