Introduction to Biomimicry for Middle School

Biomimicry and the Built Environment

Where do ideas come from?

• Bio – life

• Mimicry – to copy or emulate

Biomimicry

Biomimicry is learning from naturehow to solve human challenges

and improve our world.

Learning from Nature’s Genius: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What do you want your solution to do?

Learning from Nature’s Genius: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What do you want your solution to do?2. Biologize the question.

Learning from Nature’s Genius: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What do you want your solution to do?2. Biologize the question.3. Find the best natural models.

Learning from Nature’s Genius: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What do you want your solution to do?2. Biologize the question.3. Find the best natural models.• think about habitats

Learning from Nature’s Genius: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What do you want your solution to do?2. Biologize the question.3. Find the best natural models.• think about habitats• lots of ways to find information

Learning from Nature’s Genius: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. What do you want your solution to do?2. Biologize the question.3. Find the best natural models.• think about habitats• lots of ways to find information• look for champions

So, what does this mean to YOU?

Shoe soles that grip like a mountain goat

Underwear that breathe like stomates of plants

T-shirt that wicks sweat like a horned lizard

Fasteners that stick like burrs

Vitamins based on the diet of forest

apes

Clothing colored without dyes like a butterfly or a peacock

Sandwich bags that

biodegrade like tethers

of blue mussel and

zip closed like a feather

Computers as fast as neurons

Energy the way electric eels or leaves make it

Systems interconnected like trees in a old-growth forest

What creatures will inspire you?

What possibilities can you imagine?

Can YOU look to nature for inspiration?

Here are Some Ways to Start

• Take a Hike! • Sit quietly outside and OBSERVE• Ask questions in Biology class• Stay in School• Read books about the natural world• Do research on your favorite creature and

all its cool functions, for yourself!• Go to college and study Biology and Design

Never stop asking Why or How

It’s your future.