Inspired by Nature -

An engineer designed the hook-and-loop fastener after a walk with his dog.

Scientists look to nature for ideas. This is called biomimicry.
Using ideas from nature can save energy.

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Wind turbines get improvements after seeing whales swim.

Look at the humpback whale’s fin. Look at the wind turbine’s
blade. What do you see? They are the same shape. Whales can move quickly in the
water. Wind turbine blades move quickly through the air.

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Japan has a train called the “bullet train.” It is very
fast. It also was very loud. An engineer studied how to make it quieter. He was
also a birdwatcher. They changed the shape of the train to look like the
kingfisher bird and it was quieter.

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What Do You Think? What can scientists learn from a butterfly?

Reading Response Click on the links to respond to your reading. Print out the response page or upload it to your classroom site.

What Do You Think?

What’s That Word?

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