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Natural hazards such as hurricanes and tornados are common in Louisiana and throughout our country. It is important to use certain building techniques to create homes that are resilient to the high-speed winds associated with these hazards.
1. This presentation guides students through learning the concepts of resilience and biomimicry. It then connects the two by showing examples plants and animal structures that are naturally resilient to wind
2. After learning, present students with their challenge: Can they build a nature inspired structure that can withstand highspeed wind?
3. As part of the challenge, each student will have the following materials:
4. Explain to the students that they need to build a two-story structure, and they have five minutes to plan and then fifteen minutes to build their design. Explain that once they are done, their design will be tested by blowing on it with a hair dryer.
5.They do not have to use all the supplies, but they also will not get additional supplies
6. Students may work individually, in pairs, or in small groups depending on your setting.
7. Lastly, once the time has expired, test all structures with the force of the blow dryer to determine if the structure was built to be resilient to the wind!
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture
