Earth Story
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Provided by: MIT Day of Climate|Published on: March 30, 2025
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will learn about biomimicry and using natural, local materials to build structures.
- Students will research an animal's building practices, collect and test soil samples, and determine how climate-related building strategies can be used or will need to be modified in the face of climate change.
Subjects: Biology, Engineering
Authors: MIT Day of Climate, Sandy Curth
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Students will enjoy getting outside to collect their soil samples.
- This lesson connects to climate change in a low-stress, solutions-based way.
Prerequisites
- Teachers will need to provide their names, email, and other information to access the materials each time they go to the site or save the files from the email that is sent.
- Students should understand that animals have different habitats and should know how to calculate percentages.
- Teachers will need different-sized sieves, a scale, and other materials for these lessons.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers can take students outside to their school forest or local natural area to observe structures animals have built.
- After this activity, teachers can extend the exploration of the connection between biomimicry and climate solutions by looking into animal adaptations outside of building strategies. High school teachers can use the lesson plan Biomimicry: Water Security Inspired By Nature.
- After students have presented what they have learned about their animal's building techniques, students can take a walk around the neighborhood or school to see if they can identify any examples that mimic animal building techniques.
- Students can make artistic connections by using animal-built structures as inspiration to create works of art with other mediums, such as chalk, paint, or clay.
- Language arts teachers can use the research and report portion of this activity to achieve ELA learning goals. Teachers can adapt the requirements to fit their needs. For example, teachers can either combine this research with an informative writing project or combine the presentation with a public speaking element.
With the help of this resource, students may learn about building designs and how to create an inexpensive, low-carbon, climate-smart construction. Students investigate the elements of soil and how they are utilized as building materials. After passing our science review, this resource is suggested for use in the classroom.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Day of Climate
Day of Climate is a new initiative designed to equip K-12 learners and their educators with concise, hands-on educational materials and tools to better understand climate change, its impacts, and potential solutions. This effort unites the broader MIT community to engage learners and educators in concrete actions addressing climate and sustainability challenges.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
