Imagine this: you’re crossing the street on a rainy day when suddenly, a car screeches to a halt, and you find yourself on the ground. Thankfully, your exoskeleton, a tough outer shell, absorbs the impact, leaving you unharmed except for some torn clothes. The driver apologizes, and you both wait for the police, who let you off with a warning for crossing at the wrong spot.
Back home, you notice your movements are stiff. It’s time to molt, a process where you shed your old exoskeleton to make way for a new one. You take a deep breath, hear the satisfying crack of the shell breaking, and use a crowbar to help remove it. Underneath, your skin is soft and wrinkly, but it will harden overnight, ready to protect you again.
The next day, your exoskeleton is hard again, just in time for your weekly sledding race. You ride your motorbike to the sledding hall, feeling the wind in your hair. At the track, you take on a challenging course with sharp turns. Everything goes well until you misjudge a turn and end up flying off the ramp. Luckily, your exoskeleton protects you from serious injury, though you feel a dull ache and decide to visit the hospital.
At the hospital, the doctor finds a splinter lodged between your plates and removes it, relieving the pain. As you leave, you notice something strange: a man behind a curtain with no exoskeleton. Curious, you sneak back later to investigate but are caught and knocked out.
You wake up in a car with the doctor, who reveals her secret. She was born with her skeleton inside her body, unlike everyone else. As a child, she was teased and called “Skinny Mary.” She used her parents’ old exoskeletons to fit in and dedicated her life to finding others like her. The man you saw was one of them, injured in an accident.
The doctor asks for your help in her experiments to create exoskeletons for people like her. She needs parts of your molted shell, assuring you it will grow back. After some thought, you agree. In the lab, you undergo a procedure and wake up feeling refreshed, with a new exoskeleton forming. Mary is grateful, and you see the man, now with a perfectly fitting exoskeleton, smiling at you.
This adventure taught you the importance of understanding and helping others, even when they are different. Your exoskeleton not only protects you but also becomes a symbol of hope for those who need it.
Using materials like cardboard, tape, and scissors, design and build a model of an exoskeleton. Think about how it would protect you in different scenarios, just like in the story. Present your model to the class and explain its features and how it mimics the protective qualities of a real exoskeleton.
In groups, act out the molting process described in the article. Assign roles such as the exoskeleton, the person molting, and even tools like the crowbar. This activity will help you understand the physical and emotional aspects of shedding an old exoskeleton and growing a new one.
Draw a blueprint of a sledding course that includes sharp turns and ramps, similar to the one in the story. Consider how an exoskeleton would protect you during the race. Share your design with classmates and discuss the safety features you included.
Research the science behind exoskeletons in nature and technology. Prepare a short presentation on how exoskeletons are used in the animal kingdom and in human technology, such as in medical or military applications. Highlight the similarities and differences with the story’s exoskeleton.
Write your own short story where you have an exoskeleton. Include an adventure where your exoskeleton plays a crucial role. Share your story with the class and discuss the themes of protection, adaptation, and helping others, as seen in the article.
Exoskeleton – A rigid external covering that supports and protects the bodies of some animals, such as insects and crustaceans. – The crab’s exoskeleton provides protection from predators and helps it survive in its environment.
Molt – The process of shedding an outer layer, such as skin or an exoskeleton, to allow for growth. – As the caterpillar grows, it will molt several times before becoming a butterfly.
Skin – The outer covering of the body that protects internal organs and helps regulate temperature. – Human skin acts as a barrier against bacteria and viruses, keeping the body healthy.
Injury – Damage to the body caused by an accident or impact. – The athlete had to stop playing due to a knee injury that required medical attention.
Hospital – A healthcare facility where patients receive treatment for illnesses and injuries. – After the accident, the injured cyclist was taken to the hospital for immediate care.
Doctor – A medical professional who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries. – The doctor examined the patient and prescribed medication to help with the recovery.
Experiment – A scientific procedure undertaken to test a hypothesis or demonstrate a known fact. – In biology class, we conducted an experiment to observe how plants grow under different light conditions.
Shell – A hard, protective outer layer created by an animal, such as a mollusk or turtle. – The turtle’s shell acts as a shield, protecting it from predators and environmental hazards.
Pain – An unpleasant sensation often caused by injury or illness, signaling that something is wrong in the body. – The patient described a sharp pain in their abdomen, prompting further examination by the doctor.
Hope – A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, often related to recovery or improvement in health. – Despite the challenges, the patient remained hopeful for a full recovery after the surgery.
