METHOD

Nature-Inspired (biomimicry)

Students are inspired by nature by observing how animals, plants, and ecosystems function and adapt.

The method supports students in applying principles and functions from nature as inspiration for developing their own solutions.

1

Explain to students what biomimicry (biomimetics) is: the idea of learning from and imitating nature when designing and creating innovations. Provide examples of how humans have used nature to develop technologies, such as airplanes inspired by birds.

2

Students explore nature, outdoors or by using images and videos of wildlife, plants, and landscapes. They observe how organisms and systems work, looking for structures, processes, shapes, or functions that can inspire them.

3

Students note the elements they observe and reflect on how nature solves various challenges. They consider what might be relevant and inspiring for solving the problem they are working on.

4

Students review their observations and consider how these can inspire them:

  • What inspiration can you draw from how nature is organised?

  • How can you imitate or integrate this natural inspiration into your solution?

Didactic tips:

  • Start by introducing several different examples of biomimicry so students gain a better understanding of how nature can inspire solutions.
  • If possible, take students outside to experience observing nature firsthand. If that’s not feasible, virtual tours, images, or videos can be used. Consider using the Photo Safari method.
  • Encourage students to be creative in their observations, not only focusing on the obvious solutions but also zooming in on small details that might inspire new ideas.
  • Students can use methods like sketching, prototyping, and model drawing to visualise how nature has inspired their solution.
  • Use various brainstorming techniques to support students in generating ideas based on their observations.
  • This method is applied, for example, in activity XXX
Tags: Observing, inspiring, ideating
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MODES OF ORGANISATION:

  • Individual
  • Pair
  • Group

TOOLS / MATERIALS:

  • Photos or videos of nature

  • Paper

  • Writing tools

  • Optional: computer or tablet