We studied how animals move by dividing up into Teams based on the mode of animal locomotion.
We used a CD with movies, dynamic illustrations and interactive games as our textbook.
R. McNeill Alexander (1995). Animals on the Move. CD from Expert Software. http://expertsoftware.com/animals.htm 1-800-759-2562 .
We gathered pictures, illustrations and explanations from many different sources, including research articles.
We presented our final reports in the form of a scientific meeting where the students gave a:
| Symposium on Animal Locomotion |
Here are some of the questions we tried to answer:
Machinery of Movement
Muscles - How do muscles pull?
Tendons - Are tendons like springs?
Skeletons - Does the typical animal have its skeleton on the
outside ? What types of joints exist?
Walking and Running
Why is walking like a pendulum?
Why is running like a pogo stick?
How can hopping kangaroos use less energy as they go faster?
How much energy does it cost to walk and run?
Climbing
How do claws allow climbing in insects to mammals?
How do primates swing in trees?
How can a salamander use suction?
How can geckos stick on smooth walls without suction or glue?
Jumping
How can busbabies jump higher than Jordan?
Why use countermovements to jump?
Do grasshoppers, fleas and click beetles actually use catapults
to jump?
Crawling
How do snakes slither sideways?
How do snails use big feet to crawl?
How do caterpillars and leeches loop?
How do worms use waves?
Burrowing
How do you dig with your teeth?
How to burrow with your head?
How to dig with waves?
Gliding
What are the principles of gliding? Can they be the same as in
swimming?
Are animal gliders like airplanes?
How can temperature help soaring?
Flying
How can hummingbirds and dragonflies hover?
Why flap like birds, insects and bats?
How costly is it to fly?
How do you design a wing?
Buoyancy
How do animal floats work?
How can animals get lift from swimming?
How can a lizard run on the surface of water?
Swimming
Why undulate like fish and eels?
Are dolphins and penguins flying underwater with hydrofoils?
How do insects and ducks row?
Jetting
How do squid use jet propulsion?
Can an insect jet with its anus?
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Last updated 6/23/99