In class, we did the second part of a workshop led by David Roy, where he shared with us information about his use of peace rockets and his work with Black NASA. Last week, groups worked to construct water bottle rockets that would fly the highest. Today, we had the pleasure of launching them into the sky. When building the rockets, our group's main goal was to successfully launch the highest rocket. Thus, we examined factors like shape, weight, and aeronautics when building. Our rocket in the end did not fly the highest out of all the rockets constructed. Seeing how some characteristics worked while others didn’t made me wonder about aerodynamic applications in the natural world. I wondered if animals had evolved to be more aerodynamic.

Birds exhibit adaptations of aerodynamics. In general, birds have smooth, streamline bodies which create the least amount of drag against the air. Weight is another crucial factor in flying and aerodynamics; the lighter the projectile, the better it will fly. Birds have hollow bones which reduces its weight and allows them to fly more easily. Many birds also have lost bones or have had bones replaced to reduce weight. Large wings are also very important as it functions to both navigate and thrust the bird when in the air. Our current day aircrafts reflect this morphology, whereby planes have great horizontal wings to help with gliding and control. We especially see the aerodynamics of birds in certain species such as a gannet. Gannets are birds that primarily eat schools of fish that live near the water’s surface. They dive from high up, often over 100 feet, into the water with much precision and speed. They show their aerodynamic properties when rocketing down to the surface, as they tuck their wings inward, making their body like a torpedo. We have adapted their diving techniques and implemented it into our own human sports. Platform divers mimic gannets; divers try to hit the water with straight, thin bodies to reduce the splash of the water.

A gannet diving into the water to catch prey. Its body is thin when diving as it tries to reach high speeds.
David. “Gannet Missile Technology – David at the HALL of EINAR.” *Www.thehallofeinar.com*, 26 July 2021, www.thehallofeinar.com/2021/07/gannet-missile-technology/. Accessed 3 July 2024.

The overarching idea is that animals have lived and adapted over centuries to be fit and survive. The morphological and behavioral adaptations are some of the most efficient as they have been tested through time and approved by Mother Nature. We have taken some of these concepts and ideas and have integrated them into our everyday activities and consumables, like racing cars, planes, sports. We should continue to observe and take note from the organisms around us, as they hold the key to unlock the answers to many of our technological questions and inspire us to evolve.

ART|Sci: Nature has answers

Ocean Acidification

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