Shapes of Nature

Purpose: To create a mobile to compare and contrast the shapes and designs of animals to airplanes

Materials

• various pictures of airplanes, birds, fish, and flying insects
• scissors
• markers
• paper
• hole punch
• glue
• construction paper
• hangar
• yarn
• tracing paper (optional)

Procedure

1. In your science journal, make a chart similar to the one below to show the similarities and differences between airplanes and animals:

Airplane	Animal	Similarities	Differences

2. Choose several pictures of airplanes, birds, fish, and insects to compare and contrast.
3. Compare and contrast several animals and airplanes and record in the chart how they are similar and how they are different. Pay attention to the shape of the wings or fins of the animals and how airplanes mimic those shapes.
4. Select three or four types of airplanes, birds, fish, or insects and draw their contour (shape) onto construction paper. Note: You may want to first use tracing paper to trace the shapes to create a pattern. Then use the pattern to draw the shape onto the construction paper.
5. Color and punch a hole in each shape.
6. Cut various lengths of yarn for each shape. Thread one piece of yarn through each hole punched for each animal or plane. Secure yarn with a knot, being careful not to rip the paper.
7. Tie the other end of the yarn onto the hangar, arranging your airplanes and animals to create a mobile. If your hangar is covered with paper, decorate the paper with various airplanes, birds, fish, or insects. Punch the appropriate number of holes in the paper and tie yarn through the holes.

Conclusion

1. How are airplane wings similar to animals' wings or fins? How are they different?
2. Why would scientists want to study the wings or fins of an animal?
3. Why don't all airplanes have wings the same shape?
4. Why don't all birds have wings the same shape?

Extension

1. Compare and contrast the wing of a bird of prey with that of a fighter aircraft or the wing of a woodland bird to that of a stunt aircraft.
2. Compare and contrast the wing of an albatross to a glider or an eagle's wing to a transport aircraft wing.
3. Observe fish swimming through an aquarium. Compare and contrast the parts of a fish to those of a bird.