Resource created by Leeds Museums and Galleries | The Discovery Centre, and Leeds Libraries
This resource, suitable for Key Stages 2 to 3, aims to develop knowledge and understanding of how echolocation works. It explores how different animals use echolocation to survive in their environments and it looks at the ways in which human technology has learned from and been inspired by the natural world.
Curriculum Links:
The resource covers the following areas of the Science curriculum:
- KS2 Science: Living things and their habitats; Evolution and adaptation; how we classify animals
- KS3 Science: Relationships in an ecosystem; Variations between species; Evolution
- KS2 Computing & KS2 Design Technology: (see 'Bat Goggles' activity download)
Aims of Resource:
To give an introduction to the phenomenon of echolocation, looking at how it is used throughout the animal kingdom and how it has inspired advances in human technology.
Learning Objectives:
- Knowledge of the ways in which different animals use echolocation to survive
- Understanding of the basic mechanism of echolocation
- Skills to critically evaluate the ways in which different species interact with and ‘see’ the world around us
Discussion Ideas:
- What other animals can you think of that might use echolocation?
- What do you think the world looks like when seen through echolocation?
- Remember, different colours probably don’t reflect sound differently, but different textures might! Windows may look clear to us, but they’re still solid objects.
Activity Ideas:
- Create working 'bat goggles' using a micro:bit, a distance sensor and some simple code. Download the activity pack for step-by-step coding instructions. This activity is perfect for making cross-curricular links between science, computing and design technology.
- Note for teachers in Leeds: micro:bits can be borrowed for free from Leeds Libraries.