Begin by asking students to imagine navigating a room in complete darkness. Discuss how humans use their senses to perceive the environment and introduce the concept of whiskers and antennae as sensory tools in animals.

Explain the function of whiskers in mammals, focusing on how they help animals like sea lions and nocturnal hunters sense their environment.

Discuss the role of antennae in insects, highlighting how cockroaches use them for detecting smells and air movements.

Engage students in a discussion about how different animals use their sensory structures to survive. Encourage them to think about other animals that might use similar structures.

Conduct a sensory experiment where students use their sense of touch to identify objects while blindfolded, simulating how animals use whiskers and antennae.

Have students research an animal of their choice and describe how it uses its sensory structures to interact with its environment.

Ask students to present their findings from the independent practice activity and provide feedback on their understanding of the topic.

Review the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of sensory structures in animals. Encourage students to reflect on how these structures might inspire human technology.

Use the 'External Structures for Movement' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of how animal structures aid in movement and survival.

For further exploration, the 'Animal Senses and Behaviors' assessment can help students delve deeper into how animals process sensory information.