Biomimicry

Lesson two: Introduction

Learning objectives• To introduce biomimicry, recapping on the technological and biological cycles, considering that ‘bio’ means life and ‘mimicry’ means to imitate

What is biomimicry?

Insights from living systems…•Solving design or engineering problems and inefficiency by observing nature

•The study of nature’s best ideas, then imitating these designs and processes to solve human problems

•Closed-loop life cycles, outputs and by-products become inputs waste = food

A question of biomimicry

Play the introduction game to introduce you to a range of products that have been influenced by nature:

•Starting with team 1, you must select a number from the board•Your team will be shown either a natural product, e.g. a leaf, or a man-made product, e.g. a building•You then have to suggest what it has influenced, e.g. a solar panel, or what it has been influenced by, e.g. a cactus•If an incorrect answer is given, other teams will be given the opportunity to answer (answers shouted out will not count)•Correct answers from any team will score a point •The team with the most points at the end of the game wins

GOOD LUCK!

Activity

Research your given design further to find out more about the product. You should design an A3 poster to be displayed in the classroom, when researching think about:• Who designed the product?• Where is the product located (architecture)?• How has the design been inspired by nature and how has

this made the product better?• What special features does it have - include details about

the materials etc.?• How does it work?

Each group must share at least one interesting fact about their product with the rest of the class.

Poster example