I’ve got that Geometry Bug!!
Geometry is found everywhere in nature. The insect world provides a nice study of geometry. Insects make up about 70-80% of all known animals. Various characteristics of insects distinguish it from all other animals. An insect’s body is made up of three main division: head, thorax, and abdomen. Most winged insects have two pair of wings that are attached to the thorax. After doing more research, you will know more about the geometry and the purpose of a bug’s body.
Creating your bug…
First look for an insect that you’d like to create. Study that insect’s body. Can you see geometrical shapes that could be used to make that bug? Use your research and you imagination to create a geometrical bug. You may use any types of materials to make your bug, but be creative!! Your bug is to be made entirely out of geometrical shapes that contain the characteristics of the insect you chose. Your finished bug should be able to fit into a 10” cube (do not make it to large). If your bug has wings, then it’s wingspan should not be larger than 24”. Make sure that if you choose something that flies, you attach a way to hang if from the ceiling. If it crawls up a wall, make sure you have a way to attach it to the wall! ETC…
Communicating your knowledge…
Write a story about your bug. “A day in the life of my Geometry Bug.” It should be at least 2 pages typed, double-spaced, in 12 font. (Make sure to spell check your paper!) Your paper should include the following:
· A name for your bug (try to use something geometrical)
· Identify the shapes and geometrical properties that you used in creating your bug
· Tell why the bug has the geometrical shapes that you gave it for each of its parts
· Explain what geometrical challenges it faces
· Answer the research questions and explain how they are related/are not related to your bug
· List resources used for the paper and the research questions
Research Questions for
I’ve got that Geometry Bug!!
Directions: Each of these questions should be answered in your paper.
1. What is a common insect that has only one pair of wings?
2. What is the job of the spiracles on an insect?
3. Why isn’t the blood of an insect red?
4. Draw a line down the center of an insect. What do you notice about both sides of the line? What
geometrical term is used to describe this characteristic?
5. The mouth parts of an insect can be put into two major types: 1. biting and chewing. 2. sucking (which
can also include piercing or lapping). How does this affect the geometry of the insects mouth structure?
Give two examples of insects with each type of mouth.
6. The six legs on an insect are not always identical. Why is this? What kinds of adaptations are made for
different types of tasks such as jumping, flying, crawling, etc.?
7. Often times we look at insects as things that “bug you” or are a nuisance, but they are an important part
of the world around you. Why are insects important in your world?
8. What are polygons? What does it mean to have a closed polygon? A similar polygon? A regular
polygon? What polygons are included in the composition of your bug?
9. What geometrical shapes are included in your bug? What properties do those shapes have?