From water strider to research - interrelationships of structure and characteristics from three perspectives

The phenomenon of the water strider is suitable for teaching typical content of chemistry lessons, e.g. surface structures in interaction with the properties of water. Cross-curricular references can also be made, e.g. to body structure and locomotion on water. Using the approach of bionics, students learn how an understanding of the surface structure of water strider legs can be transferred to the synthesis of artificial structures; here the article shows references to current research in material sciences. To introduce the phenomenon itself in the most fascinating way possible, a 360 degrees film was developed for head-mounted displays and fulldomes, as well as in the classic 16:9 screen format. In order to enable the usage of the film even for secondary students, associations and student performances about the phenomenon of the water strider were collected. The results, which are presented in this article, were incorporated into the development of the film's voiceover.