Design Challenge Millipede Playground Mechanical Engineer A mechanical

Design Challenge: Millipede Playground

Mechanical Engineer A mechanical engineer designs and builds machines, tools, and engines that solve a problem.

Millipedes • Millipedes are arthropods. They have an exoskeleton and are invertebrates. • Millipedes have a segmented body with two pairs of legs on each segment.

Millipedes • Most millipedes are herbivores and decomposers. They mostly eat dead and decaying plant material. • Most millipedes are nocturnal. During the day, you can find millipedes burrowed in the soil or under leaves or logs on the forest floor.

Millipedes • As a millipede moves, several legs move at the same time while walking. It moves in a wave-like motion. The many legs moving can tickle when you hold one. • They curl themselves into a spiral for protection when they are threatened.

Millipede Playground • Create a playground for millipedes to explore. • What does your group think will be fun for a millipede? • Think about their bodies and movement. • Your playground must involve gravity, friction, push, and pull.

Testing Our Millipede Playgrounds • Observe your millipede in its playground. • Remember to be gentle with your millipedes. • Millipedes stay close to the ground for their safety. • Record your observations in your nature journals.