Watching Their Backs

Display several photos that show the direct gaze of different animals, such as those of an owl, a wolf, a large cat like a panther, and a human. Ask students, what do you feel when you look into these eyes? (For example, a direct gaze can feel threatening.) Ask: How do you change your behavior when you know you are being watched? Do you think other animals change their behavior when they know they’re being watched? Discuss.

Show students images of organisms with eyespots, such as the four-eyed butterfly fish or the emperor moth in the article (p. 13). Ask students to brainstorm how they think fake eyes may benefit the organism based on the ideas they just shared. (For example, large fake eyes can make the organism look bigger and more dangerous.) Distribute the skills sheet “Trick of the Eye” and have students complete it in small groups. Discuss the different ways that eyespots can protect organisms from predators.

Share the word biomimicry with students. Ask students what they think the term means, breaking it into two parts (bio and mimicry). Explain that biomimicry is a design process that draws on nature to create solutions to problems and that students are going to see an example. Watch the video “I-Cow Project.” Ask: What solution does this scientist want to test? Why is this an example of biomimicry? Then read the article aloud. Discuss how the scientists were inspired by animals that use eyespots for protection.

Hand out “Survival Stats.” Then watch the video “Percent of a Number.” Discuss why calculating percents can be important in evaluating the effectiveness of different solutions. Have students complete the skills sheet in small groups.

Distribute the “Investigate It! Watching Their Backs” skills sheet and discuss the questions. Ask the class to explain whether the eyespots are an effective solution to livestock predation. Highlight the importance of analyzing data collected during the experiment to determine how well a solution works. Have students complete the article’s “Check for Understanding.”

⇨ VIDEO EXTRA: Watch a video about a possible solution for protecting livestock.

⇨ VIDEO EXTRA: Watch a video about calculating percents.