Animal Inventors

Audiences delight in meeting “Professor Gizmo Gearloose” who has explored the world of inventions and inventors.

Children discover that Mother Nature tops the list as the greatest inventor of all times! Which came first … turtle shells or hard hats? Snakeskin or camouflage clothing? Beaver teeth or hatchets? Deer antlers or bayonets? Flight from birds or airplanes?

Using live animals, the Professor compares animal adaptations—the inventions of Mother Nature—with copycat human inventions.

Animal Inventors Study Guide
TEACHER STUDY GUIDE

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Come visit Professor Gizmo Gearloose to learn about the GREATEST INVENTOR of all times...Mother Nature! Scientists call her inventions adaptations.

Adaptations are any special feature that a plant or animal develops to help them meet their needs. Plants and animals have many special adaptations that help them survive in the
cold, cruel world.

An invention is a device that people use to help them meet their needs. Most of the inventions that people have devised are actually duplications of plant and animal adaptations.

Compare the adaptations of animals and plants to copycat human inventions.

Things to Ponder
Classroom discussion questions…

• What animal or plant do you know with a special adaptation?

• What is the adaptation? What is it used for?

• What inventions do you use?

• Think of a famous human inventor! What did s/he invent?

• Write a report comparing an animal or plant adaptation with a human invention!

Nearly everything people have invented mirrors something in the world of Mother Nature, yet until recent times our inventions have been arrived at independently, or almost wholly independently, of our natural counterparts. Only within the past few decades has the natural world been more fully appreciated, with the result that there is now a greater tendency to look to the animal and plant kingdoms for ideas, or to improve on human inventions already in existence. Even so, all too often, we cannot fully appreciate the natural “invention” until something very like it has been invented by people independently.

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Program Study Guides

• Animal Inventors - Presented by Christine Buik
• Dinosaur Discoveries - Presented by Christine Buik
• Earth Day Every Day - Green Lifestyles - Presented by Jim Walser
• Earthkeepers - Presented by Christine Buik
• It's a Jungle Out There - Substance Abuse Program - Presented by Christine Buik
• It's a Jungle Out There - Animals Only Program - Presented by Christine Buik
• Storytelling and the Three R's: Synopsis of Workshop for Parents, Teachers, Librarians and Camp Counselors
• Teach the Mind, Touch the Heart - Character Education - Presented by Jim Walser
• The Journey Starts Now - Presented by Christine Buik

*Schools: Check with your District Office...It’s a Jungle Out There (substance abuse program) qualify for Safe & Drug-Free Entitlement Money authorized by the State Board of Education.