What is biomimicry?

Biomimicry is the design and production of material, structures and systems modelled on nature. It is not a new science, humans have been learning from nature for millennia. More recently, however, as human societies become ever more unsustainable, biomimicry has emerged as a valuable approach to finding solutions to some of humanities most challenging environmental issues.

Biomimicry is not simply copying nature (biomorphism) or connecting more deeply with nature (biophilia), although both are beneficial. It is observing how nature achieves certain tasks and processes, and then applying the same strategies to human-design challenges. The Wright brothers did this by observing Turkey Vultures and adapted their prototype airplanes. Businesses today are observing how some corals create a hard skeleton and using this insight to manufacture low carbon concrete. And others are observing how ants solve complex communication issues using simple rules and applying it to parcel delivery networks.

Subject Specific Recommendations

The Challenge offers a wide range of opportunities. It can be a great STEM project allowing students to explore their own curiosity in the topic. Or, it could be delivered in a more focused way within a choosen subject. We have listed below some suggestions for using the Challenge in delivering subject content, which can then be used on the 3-stage process outlined.

For the Biomimicry challenge students need to:

Aspects of ‘Working Scientifically’ that students could use

Observe how nature achieves certain tasks and processes

Observing changes over time
Looking for naturally-occurring patterns and relationships
Identifying and classifying things
Researching using secondary sources

Then apply the same strategy to a human-design challenge

Researching using secondary sources
Making observations and develping hypothesis
Comparative and fair testing

Biology is a great fit with biomimicry. The way different species adapt to and are affected by their environment provides inspiration for ways humans can also adapt. Some curriculum areas include:

The adaptations of leaves for photosynthesis. How can we get light deep inside a building and reduce energy costs?
How organisms affect, and are affected by, their environment, including the accumulation of toxic materials. How can we reduce the build up of toxins in human bodies?
The importance of plant reproduction through insect pollination in human food security. Lets invent a mechanical bee!
Organisms are interdependent and are adapted to their environment. How do we design buildings which fit to local conditions and change with the weather?
Changes in the environment may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction. How does nature adapt to local conditions to changes such as flooding and drought?

Chemistry in nature is life friendly; products are assembled using only a few locally available elements and they do not breakdown into harmful by-products after use. Some curriculum areas include:

Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (qualitative). How do we keep vaccines cool in a hot country – how do elephants cope in the heat?
The production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate. How can buildings absorb the CO₂ of users?
Carbon compounds, both as fuels and feedstock, and the competing demands for limited resources. How can we generate energy without oil?
The viability of recyling certain materials. How can we keep materials circulating in the economy?

Physics helps us think about how nature harnesses forces elegantly, and uses natural processes to heat and cool. Some curriculum areas include:

Auditory range of humans and animals. Can we make our buildings better for hearing nature? How can we better hear bird song inside?
Brownian motion in gases. This can look so beautiful under a microscope but is deadly when we think about air pollution. An understanding of its randomness and how nature copes with this – leaves and stomata for example might help us design this out of our lives.
Motion and forces. How does nature build tall structures resistant to earthquakes and high winds?

Stage One - introducing biomimicry & defining your challenge

The first stage in a design process is to define the problem or opportunity you want your design to address. It helps to set the goal you want your design to deliver and any factors you will need to consider. Critical in this stage, is to consider the context your design will operate in and the functions (purpose) it needs to deliver.

This PowerPoint presentation introduces biomimicry and key aspects of the challenge, includes slides notes.

Activities and Worksheets:

Teacher Notes - stage one.
Introduction to challenge and biomimicry (presentation).
Card sort activity (printable activity cards described in presentation above).
An Introduction to Biomimicry (background reading).
Biomimicry Principles (handout).
Defining your challenge (presentation).
Stage One student worksheets (handout).
Seed Design Task (optional activity).

Useful resources:

Biomimicry Resources

Useful videos:

Excellent introduction to biomimicry thinking by founder Janine Benyus (7 min) - link.
A longer (20 min) video from the Biomimicry Institute about biomimicry as a pathway for design - link.
The importance of biomimicry in education by Sam Stier (2 min) - link.
Many more videos from the Biomimicry Institute YouTube channel.

Stage Two - asking nature

In the second stage, we explore how nature could provide solutions to our design challenge. We can ask how nature provides similar functions which we can learn from.A lot of research has already been carried out which you can use, and it is also helpful to observe nature first-hand to get more inspiration.

Activities and Worksheets:

Teacher Notes - stage two
Asking Nature (presentation)
Function Junction (activity)
Stage Two student worksheets (handout)

Useful websites:

Ask Nature - fantastic resource for biomimicry ideas; searchable by function.
Biomimicry Solutions - lots of ideas to show biomimicry applications.

Useful videos:

Biomimicry function and strategy; includes nice examples of functions in nature and asking good questions - link.
Explanation of the function card activity - link.

Stage Three - your design solution

In the final stage, we combine insights from nature with our design challenge. How can biomimicry make our solution better and more sustainable? Think about how to present your design solution so that it demonstrates how biomimicry has helped you. Complete the biomimicry evaluation wheel to reflect on and improve your ideas.

Activities and Worksheets:

Teacher Notes - stage three
Your Design Solution (presentation)
Biomimicry Design Canvas (planning tool)
Evaluation Wheel (planning tool)
Judging Criteria (handout)

Further help and support

Please contact Richard Dawson with any questions or queries.

Email: biolearn@wild-awake.org

What is biomimicry?

Stage One - introducing biomimicry & defining your challenge

Stage Two - asking nature

Stage Three - your design solution

Further help and support

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