Animal Inspired Watercraft – Futuristic Design
This creative short course introduces students to the fascinating world of animal-inspired design and innovation. Over the course of a week, students will explore how creatures like penguins, orcas, and squid have inspired some of the world’s most efficient transportation designs. Through hands-on activities, they’ll sketch animals, design watercraft, and use recycled materials to bring their creations to life. Students will also have the opportunity to share their work with younger children, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
100% Free Course
What is this Course About?
Join us on an exciting journey of creativity and exploration! We’ll start by watching a video on how nature has inspired modern designs, like the orca-shaped bow of the Greg Mortimer ship. Students will then choose a marine creature and sketch it, focusing on how its movement and form can inspire the design of a futuristic transportation device.
Next, students will design their very own watercraft based on their chosen animal, using the task card provided to guide them. For an added challenge, they’ll bring their creations to life using recycled materials. Once complete, students will present their designs and share how nature’s efficiency can inspire human invention.
Skills We Will Cover
- Artistic Techniques: Students will learn how to sketch marine animals, focusing on form, movement, and shading. They’ll also explore how to design a watercraft based on natural inspiration.
- Innovation and Design: By creating their own watercraft, students will engage in creative problem-solving, thinking about how animal movement can influence human design.
- Collaboration and Presentation: Students will share their creations with younger children, explaining how they drew inspiration from nature. This will encourage teamwork and the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple, engaging way.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Students will tackle challenges such as how to design a transportation device that mirrors an animal’s unique traits, while using sustainable materials.
- Personal Growth: Through this hands-on experience, students will build confidence in their artistic and design skills, as well as in their ability to think critically and innovatively.
What Will We Create?
Students will begin by sketching their chosen marine creature, focusing on how its movement and design can inspire transportation solutions. They’ll then design and build a model of their watercraft using recycled materials, showcasing how nature can guide innovation. Finally, students will present their watercraft to younger children, explaining the connection between their design and the natural world.
Lesson Plans
Teachers will have access to detailed lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards in art, science, and design. These plans will guide students through sketching, designing, and building their watercraft, helping them to think critically about how nature inspires innovation.
Real-World Learning
This course allows students to apply their artistic and design skills to real-world contexts. By combining nature-inspired innovation with practical design, students will gain a deeper understanding of how the natural world influences human creativity. Through presentations and hands-on building, they’ll learn how to communicate their ideas effectively and inspire others with their creations.
By blending art, science, and design, students will engage in a unique, immersive learning experience that encourages creativity and critical thinking, while helping them appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
