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Incorporate articles from the October issue of Science News Explores to learn how scientists used biomimicry to engineer a new type of robot and answer questions about the biological and chemical processes happening in plants that have evolved to increase their stench.

Inspired by nature’s greatest acrobats, roboticists have made engineering leaps — creating and upgrading an agile, jumping robot that can grasp branches like a squirrel. Learn how scientists use biomimicry to launch new approaches to old engineering challenges. At the same time, explore concepts of momentum in daily life, then answer questions about possible applications for squirrely robots of the future.

Some plants have evolved to produce putrid scents. Consider the phenomenon of smell before doing a card sort to show the biological and chemical processes happening in these plants. Then, answer questions about why and how the plants evolved to increase their stench.

Based on recent research, Spinosaurus is depicted swimming in the newest Jurassic World movie. Some studies point to Spinosaurus’s relatively dense bones, which could have helped control buoyancy for swimming. But others argue that Spinosaurus fossils point to its life as a wader.

Shortages and big price tags have driven patients to unconventional, sometimes shady sources of weight-loss drugs. In some cases, people end up with tainted drugs or risk overdosing.

Beginning with the first test explosion in 1945, more than 2,000 atomic blasts have rattled the globe. Nuclear testing dwindled after a treaty in the 1990s. Recently, some in the United States have called for resumed testing, which could have serious consequences for the environment and global politics.

Use news articles from the September Science News issue to discuss the challenges of relying on a tidy math equation to predict the speed of dinosaurs and learn the chemical predation tactics of the feather-legged lace weaver spider before researching other organisms that use chemical means for predation.

Predation occurs when one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. In this lesson, students will learn about the recently discovered chemical predation tactics of the feather-legged lace weaver spider, which vomits toxins on its prey. Students will explore the possible evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of this technique and research another organism that uses chemical means for predation.

T. rex or Velociraptor — who would win in a race? Scientists of the 1970s developed a set of equations that led modern scientists to predict speed of dinosaurs. But how well do those equations predict real life? Learn how a tidy math equation can sometimes oversimplify complex issues. Answer questions about how missing variables might lead to flawed conclusions and discuss challenges from inferring the behavior and characteristics of long-extinct species from available evidence.

The air pollutant ozone has been linked to health problems including respiratory illness, reproductive problems and some cancers. Levels of ozone in the United States have come down over time but have started to rise again in places because of wildfires and soil emissions.

The sympathetic nervous system — our fight-or-flight response — kicks in when we face a big challenge or risk. When we’re relaxed, our parasympathetic nervous system takes over. Together these two systems make up the autonomic nervous system.

Use these lesson plans paired to articles from the June/July issue of Science News Explores to have students analyze data visualizations from Analyze This articles, get a template to use the KWL literacy practice with your students and learn how to hula hoop using physics principles.