Below are links to resources I have created inspired by New Zealand and Australia’s unique and wonderful wildlife. Learn about Australia’s unique and endemic wildlife, from iconic koalas to spiny, ant-eating echidnas and the duck-billed egglaying platypus. The focus is on learning about the life cycle and using the remarkable animals as inspiration for creativeContinueContinue reading “Creative Activities to Explore Native Australia & New Zealand & Wildlife”
Tag Archives: Biomimicry
Home by Isabelle Simler
“The octopus makes its home in a beautiful stony villa, the bowerbird decorates his incredible blue pavilion. Tireless beavers build their lodge, and the elf owl hides, safe in the hollow of a cactus.” Come on a journey into the world of talented homemakers. Explore inside their dream homes and imagine life, through the eyesContinueContinue reading “Home by Isabelle Simler”
An Egg is Quiet
This post contains ad links. Smashing the walls of a coconut takes some skill! An Egg Is Quiet (Nature Books) is stunningly beautiful and makes a fascinating introduction to the amazing world of eggs. Poetic text and wonderfully informative, it explores interesting facts about eggs that really spark curiosity and imagination. Written by Dianna HuttsContinueContinue reading “An Egg is Quiet”
Daydreaming about Ladybirds
November and not a ladybird in sight. The cold November weather has arrived and the pretty ladybird is hibernating. And somehow, the things you cannot see quickly become more interesting! The slow-motion video below of a ladybird taking off provides you with an opportunity to slow down. Being mindful is to slow down and observeContinueContinue reading “Daydreaming about Ladybirds”
Cool and Warm Ptarmigan Sneaker Kit – Biomimicry for Young Children
What if, we could design a greener and cheaper shoe where you replace part of the shoe when the weather changes or when one part of the shoe is worn out? My strongest memory of seeing ptarmigan comes from a skiing holiday in the Swedish mountains. I never really liked cross-country skiing and on aContinueContinue reading “Cool and Warm Ptarmigan Sneaker Kit – Biomimicry for Young Children”
Sea Slug Borrowers – Inspirational video
Spots, stripes, bold vibrant colours or soft milky pastels. Nudibranchs do everything to capture your attention. These soft-bodied creatures warn predators with their high-contrast markings and colours. But some sea slugs are a bit more cunning, and they steal stinging cells that they collect from hydroid prey. The nudibranch’s gut is impressive, with fingerlike branchesContinueContinue reading “Sea Slug Borrowers – Inspirational video”
Reindeer Challenge – Zero Waste Ideas for a Reindeer Party
Plastic is everywhere! Can you help design packing materials for a Reindeer Party to celebrate that all the Xmas gifts have been delivered around the world. Reindeer are vegetarians, so they eat only plants, During the summer months they eat grass and shrubs. Once the snow covers the tundra, they start looking for lichen. WhyContinueContinue reading “Reindeer Challenge – Zero Waste Ideas for a Reindeer Party”
Supertiny Bats with Superpowers
Unstoppable hunters of the night! A couple of weeks ago, we went for a bat walk in Sutton Park. Equipped with warm clothes and torches we searched for bats in the dark autumn evening using bat detectors. The rain was drizzling but luckily the bats still came out to feed. Bats are mammals and they areContinueContinue reading “Supertiny Bats with Superpowers”
Inspired by Fungi
Fly agaric, jelly ear, shaggy inkcap and sickener. How many fungi can you identify? And have you ever seen ghost fungus? Fungi grow in a range of different environments. They live in the soil, on plants and animals, in fresh water and in seawater. They even grow on your body! Many fungi are colourful andContinueContinue reading “Inspired by Fungi”
Super Siri Spider Sieve
What lives in the ocean? Fish, dolphins, sea otters, whales, octopuses, plants, corals sea turtles and sea spiders. And plastic! Marine creatures are vulnerable to fragments of plastic littering the world’s oceans. Big animals such as whales are ingesting microplastics. Microplastics are small fragments of plastic, less than 5 mm. There are different types ofContinueContinue reading “Super Siri Spider Sieve”
Shells – Biomimicry
Make a garland of your drawings of seashells that you find at the beach. Cut out the drawings and make a little hole. A ribbon or string through the holes and the garland is finished. Put the garland in your Biomimicry Journal and save it as inspiration. Or put the seashell garland in a box.ContinueContinue reading “Shells – Biomimicry”
A day at the Beach
Use the beach to spark your imagination! What can be better than to lie in silence at the shore, listening to the waves and watching sand grains roll back and forth? Explore beaches and admire sea shells while you breathe in the sea air. A day at the beach is a wonderful adventure. A greatContinueContinue reading “A day at the Beach”
Inspired by Plantopedia
This blog post contains affiliate links. Bring the joy of plants to children! Parks, woodlands and gardens are dazzling with interesting plants. There are the stinkers, the air freshers, and the perfumed. Plantopedia: Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth (Wide Eyed) by Adrienne Barman has all sorts of plants from the biggest, to theContinueContinue reading “Inspired by Plantopedia”
Cherry Blossom Estate – Eco-friendly Houses Inspired by Nature
“build buildings like trees and cities like forests” William McDonough Ah, the dance of the cherry trees. Few things in nature are as lovely as the pink clouds of cherry blossoms. A wonderful way to welcome Spring. The loveliness is perhaps even more lovely since it is so fleeting. And the display in our gardenContinueContinue reading “Cherry Blossom Estate – Eco-friendly Houses Inspired by Nature”
Biobing – Caterpillar Climbing Shoes
Inspired by the wonderful caterpillars in the previous blog posts, we designed some Biobing shoes. These shoes are made for climbing in the mountains. Just like a caterpillar you can climb upside down when you are wearing these shoes. There are little sticky caterpillar-shaped wheels that let you scale big rocks. These wheels automatically flattenContinueContinue reading “Biobing – Caterpillar Climbing Shoes”
Blue Eggs and Blue Caterpillars – Inspirational Video
Blue! Blue is a rather rare colour in nature. But in this awe-inspiring video, there are blue eggs and blue caterpillars. Butterflies are incredible but in this video, the stars are eggs and caterpillars. The magic comes alive when you look closely at the tiny eggs and the wriggling caterpillars. A painted lady butterfly isContinueContinue reading “Blue Eggs and Blue Caterpillars – Inspirational Video”
Leaf Beetle -Inspirational Video
Almost anything is possible in the rainforest. And this stunning little beetle is only the start of the mystery. Most animals try to blend in with the environment. But how could this warty shiny fuchsia and purple beetle blend in? This beetle is found in the Amazon rainforest and is trying to mimic the droppingsContinueContinue reading “Leaf Beetle -Inspirational Video”
Inspired by Gentle Giants – Giraffes
This blog post contains adlinks. Cool Giraffe Neck Twister Game Giraffe Jaws Giraffe Long Tongue Robot Come up with an idea for a giraffe invention. A useful or not-so-useful innovation inspired by the beautiful animals with long gracious necks, dark long tongues and four stomachs to help them digest their food. Illustrate your idea withContinueContinue reading “Inspired by Gentle Giants – Giraffes”
A Beetle is Shy
This post contains adlinks. How would you describe a beetle? Beetles can be colossal or tiny creatures. They can be colourful or plain, friendly and helpful or harmful. Beetles can even be tasty. And telegraphic! During Spring beetles and bugs are everywhere we look outside, and it is the perfect time to exploreContinueContinue reading “A Beetle is Shy”
Cuddly Robots – Valentine Special
Valentine Special! Looking for ways to compliment reading some Lovable books about Valentine’s Day with some fun exercises? Why not try Biomimicry with big LOVE? “How can you build a CUDDLY robot?” “What do you need to build a LOVE robot?” Maybe a big heart, or three hearts? You can buy the booklet filled withContinueContinue reading “Cuddly Robots – Valentine Special”
The Birch Tree adds a Silver Lining
Trees are amazing! I was born in the city of birches, a city in the northern part of Sweden. So birches have always had a special place in my heart. They also like so many trees live a mysterious and secret life. Trees have so many stories that they want to tell, and they haveContinueContinue reading “The Birch Tree adds a Silver Lining”
Inspirational Video – How does a penguin launch itself from the sea?
Can you guess how quickly the emperor penguins launch themselves out at sea? Twice as quickly as their normal swimming speeds, swimming speed is 3.4 m/s (7.6 mph). It looks almost as if these rather heavy flightless birds are flying. The flight might be short but how do they do it? Penguins trap microbubbles withinContinueContinue reading “Inspirational Video – How does a penguin launch itself from the sea?”
Winter Bird Observations
Frost and snow tend to spark lots of questions. How cold are the squirrel’s feet? How does the fox find any food? How does the robin stay warm? A frosty morning may look pretty but winter is a challenging time for birds. Finding a snug place on a cold winter’s night seems like a difficultContinueContinue reading “Winter Bird Observations”
Festive Reindeer Mind Map
Get into the Festive Spirit and learn about the cool reindeer! Help Father Christmas and use biomimicry to invent new gadgets to make his life easier. Begin the biomimicry journey by making a Festive Reindeer Mind Map using Christmas decorations. We made a mind map from old decorations and wrapping paper. You can use tinsel,ContinueContinue reading “Festive Reindeer Mind Map”
Festive Biomimicry Reindeer
The Festive Season is perfect for exploring some magical fun! Reindeer are amazing. Wonderful inspiration for helping Father Christmas. Exploring questions, fun, silly and serious, that excite our mind and then looking for ways to put an answer together. Sometimes the solution will work, sometimes, especially when exploring the world with young children, the magicContinueContinue reading “Festive Biomimicry Reindeer”
Pussy Willow Madness – Art, Poem and Science
What way does the willow grow where you live? There are some special willows that grow in the Arctic. The branches help to protect the plants from the cold wind. Can you draw a Polar Willow that grows in the Arctic? The pussy willows are out and that is a sure sign that spring isContinueContinue reading “Pussy Willow Madness – Art, Poem and Science”
Biomimicry Journal – Bubble Froth Inspiration
What if you can use foam to protect yourself from germs? What would you look like? Foam-nesting frogs build meringue-like structures to protect their young even under the harshest of conditions. The nests look delicate but they are tough structures. These types of frogs can provide inspiration for lots of ideas. Creating a Biomimicry JournalContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Journal – Bubble Froth Inspiration”
Patterns Everywhere! Be Inspired
Almost too perfect to be true. Like an artist has dreamed up some geometrically perfect and correct plants or sand dunes. Nature’s symmetry is a subject that has fascinated philosophers, mathematicians, artists, architects, and physicists. Photo: Pixabay Patterns can be found everywhere in nature and walking around looking for pattern is a fun, imaginary activityContinueContinue reading “Patterns Everywhere! Be Inspired”
Build a Snow City
There have been plenty of chances to watch the squirrels who visit our garden more or less every day. Squirrels are quick, agile and fascinating. Also squirrels. . . have sharp claws that help them shift direction when they are climbing trees can run headfirst down trees have light and small bodies And most importantlyContinueContinue reading “Build a Snow City”
What if a pile of colourful autumn leaves was used as inspiration?
A think dive into a pile of colourful autumn leaves. The forest is going to sleep. Days are getting shorter and the animals are squirreling away for winter. Plants and flowers are capsulated and the trees start to let go of their leaves. Autumn is a wonderful season for discovering what happens when nature slowsContinueContinue reading “What if a pile of colourful autumn leaves was used as inspiration?”
Be Inspired by Antarctic Ballet and Sliding Penguins
Running, hopping, waddling, jumping, sliding, porpoising, tobogganing, and diving penguins. Penguins are always ready for action. On land, they have rather poor eyesight but in the water, they have exceptional vision. They can dive up to 35 meters in the water. Why not draw a diving robot that can dive and see underwater? Or inventContinueContinue reading “Be Inspired by Antarctic Ballet and Sliding Penguins”
Pop-Up Paper Projects
Pop-up projects are such fun! Making a 3D birthday card is a quick and easy and will entertain children. A perfect rainy-day project. But pop-up paper projects can also be taken to a completely new level. And the book, New Pop-Up Paper Projects: Step-by-step paper engineering for all ages, by Paul Johnson is a wonderfulContinueContinue reading “Pop-Up Paper Projects”
Curious Me – Dragonflies
Biomimicry is a smart way to teach children to observe nature and to use it as inspiration to solve tough problems. The focus is on observing functions and the way nature solves problems. Nature is filled with unique designs and behaviours that help living things adapt to their environment and survive. Biomimicry allows children toContinueContinue reading “Curious Me – Dragonflies”
Vitamin G – The Importance of Exploring Nature
Smell, splash and listen! Put on your wellies and dance outside! How high is an oak tree? How do you measure the height of an ant nest? How does a wet pile of autumn leaves smell? Some answers are not found inside the classroom, instead, you have to walk out in nature to find theContinueContinue reading “Vitamin G – The Importance of Exploring Nature”
Cubist Glue Art, Doodling, and Sleepy Parrotfish – Biomimicry for Young Children
Imagine that you are a tired parrotfish. You are going to sleep but first, you need to make a protective cocoon. A cocoon that will keep enemies away. What does it feel like inside the cocoon? One exercise in the booklet Biomimicry for Young Children – Sea Life is about the colourful and interesting parrotfish.ContinueContinue reading “Cubist Glue Art, Doodling, and Sleepy Parrotfish – Biomimicry for Young Children”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Orangutans
On the third day of March We saved three Swinging Orangutans Our think dive this month is inspired by not only orangutans but also dreams about Easter bunnies and chocolate. After we have learnt that the production of palm oil is a major threat to orangutans we decided to make a chocolate bark using chocolateContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Orangutans”
Be Inspired by Frogs
Do you know why frogs have big eyes that bulge out? Or why frogs can walk upside down? Frog eyes are big and come in a stunning range of colours and patterns. Perhaps you have seen a frog resting in the water with only its eyes and nose above the surface. Frogs can protrude theirContinueContinue reading “Be Inspired by Frogs”
Slugs are Cool
Would it not be great if you could smell with your body just like a slug? Slugs are everywhere! And gooey slime is a wonderful substance that can solve many problems. Britain has ideal conditions for slugs to thrive – cool damp summers and warmish mild wet winters. Climate changes also contribute to turning ourContinueContinue reading “Slugs are Cool”
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is an exciting way to inspire young children to be creative, and curious and to observe the world. Children come to understand how animals and plants can be used as a platform upon which ideas and inventions can be developed. Biomimicry bridges the boundaries traditionally found in education and provides young children with anContinueContinue reading “What is Biomimicry?”
Hunting for the Golden Ratio
Does the golden ratio exist in the world of art, architecture and design? Or is it a myth? Why not spend some time to check it out for yourself? The golden ratio is regarded as a way to define something beautiful. Great artists such as Salvador Dalí are said to have used the number sequenceContinueContinue reading “Hunting for the Golden Ratio”
Climate Smart Fairy Houses
Nowadays even fairies need to be climate-smart. So we built climate-smart houses for the fairies that live in our garden. We got inspiration from studying cones. Pine cones open and close depending on the level of moisture in the air. The scales of pine cones open in hot and dry weather and close inContinueContinue reading “Climate Smart Fairy Houses”
Ice-Cream Roots – Mixing Ideas with a Touch of Magic and Imagination
Thinking, whether it is planning what information you need to solve a problem, exploring where in your body you feel certain, or searching for new ideas, is something that should be exciting and fun. For too long the image of a serious person sitting still and thinking about serious stuff have ruled. A creative approachContinueContinue reading “Ice-Cream Roots – Mixing Ideas with a Touch of Magic and Imagination”
Looking for Spirals in Nature
Filled with inspiration after having completed a course at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology. One week was spent looking for patterns in nature. Like the fractal nature of tree branching and antlers. Or spirals like galaxies, shells, pine cones and sunflower heads. After a while, I startedContinueContinue reading “Looking for Spirals in Nature”
Exploring Concepts and Building Things
The focus during the first years of formal education is to teach children basic concepts such as height and length. Worksheets are often designed to help teach identifying what is the same and what is different, and to determine which things that go together. A concept is an abstract pattern in the brain that standsContinueContinue reading “Exploring Concepts and Building Things”
Interesting eyes! – Biomimicry for Young Children
Eyes! Geckos with zig-zagged pupils. Chameleons that can look at two directions at the same time. And frogs that can see above the surface while they are underwater! Eyes are a great topic to explore when you are talking about biomimicry. You can solve design challenges: “Use one of the words that rhyme with frog.ContinueContinue reading “Interesting eyes! – Biomimicry for Young Children”
Design a Helmet Inspired by Ladybirds
Imagine that you have wings like a ladybird. What would you do? Ladybirds are delightful to have around and we always close our eyes and make a wish when a ladybird flies away from our hands. Since I love roses, ladybirds are a true friend for that reason as well. And a rosebush is indeedContinueContinue reading “Design a Helmet Inspired by Ladybirds”
Cool Chocolate Challenge
Chocolate Bunnies provided inspiration for this challenge. Easter is after all chocolate time. Chocolate Easter eggs are an old tradition and the first eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th century. Some early eggs were solid, and the technique for mass-producing moulded chocolate had not been devised. France and Germany started this artisticContinueContinue reading “Cool Chocolate Challenge”
Biomimicry, Pasta and Mind Mapping – Dandelion Magic
Ahhh, you never really know where you might end up when you blow dandelion seeds. Watching the little parachutes dance away in the chilly spring breeze may spark all sort of ideas. Observe, listen, touch, smell and in some cases even taste. To be creative, and curious and to observe the world is an excitingContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry, Pasta and Mind Mapping – Dandelion Magic”
Dream up New Furnitures and Toys
Imagine a chair where you can insert your own drawings? Or a chair that just like a flower grows? Why not inspire your kids to dream up and design some cool furnitures and toys? Inventing new games, toys and furnitures are often tasks that are included in biomimicry material for young children. Milan design weekContinueContinue reading “Dream up New Furnitures and Toys”
Biomimicry Challenge – Day 7
Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. Claude Monet Colour is important but it is rarely discussed outside the art lesson. Biomimicry offers a great opportunity to use colour in the classroom in interesting new ways to inspire creative thinking. Animals and plants may use their unique colouring for protection, attracting a partner, forContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Challenge – Day 7”
A Day at the Beach – Inspired by Sandpipers and Seagulls
Building sandcastles, surfing on waves, and licking the world’s yummiest ice cream! A day at the beach can be truly magical. Children can tank their bodies with warm sun rays and their parents’ endless love. But it can also be a day filled with wonderous and mind-boggling ideas and questions. Dream, build and invent. InventContinueContinue reading “A Day at the Beach – Inspired by Sandpipers and Seagulls”
Autumn Owl Robo – Use Biomimicry to Teach Children to Think
I have big eyes. The big eyes help me to. . . Owls are most vocal in Autumn and you can twit-twhoo-ing when you make this craft inspired by owls’ big eyes. The big eyes help owls to see in the dark. We made an Autumn Owl robo with several eyes so that it canContinueContinue reading “Autumn Owl Robo – Use Biomimicry to Teach Children to Think”
The Polar Bear By Jenni Desmond
A wonderful exploration of polar bears and their habitat. The Polar Bear by Jenni Desmond is a rare treat, a book that is both magical and factually accurate. You are taken on a journey of polar bear bodies, habits, as well as habitats. Yet, reading the book is a bit bittersweet. Polar bears are inContinueContinue reading “The Polar Bear By Jenni Desmond”
Biomimicry Challenge – Day 6
Dandelions. Everywhere! Random is often not a very positive word so we have to teach children to embrace the idea of randomness. Randomness lies at the very heart of creative thinking. A random word or picture helps us to break patterns.We can think from a new and often unusual perspective. A random word or pictureContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Challenge – Day 6”
Biomimicry Challenge – Day 5
Take out the magnifying glass and study some ants. Look at the way they work together to bring food to the nest. Ants can find food and bring it into their nests in a couple of minutes. What do the ants do that is so great? How do you think they find the shortest routeContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Challenge – Day 5”
Biomimicry Inspiration from Africa with Crocolicious Love
The Crocodile “No animal is half as vile As Crocky–Wock, the crocodile. On Saturdays he likes to crunch Six juicy children for his lunch And he especially enjoys Just three of each, three girls, three boys. From Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl We had a period when we read rhymes from Dirty Beasts every night.ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Inspiration from Africa with Crocolicious Love”
Hunt for Straight Lines
What prevents a tree from growing in straight lines? Are there straight lines in nature? And are there right angles? The trees have lost most of their leaves and the structure of the trees are visible. So the other day we hunted for the tree with the straightest trunk and branches. When we look atContinueContinue reading “Hunt for Straight Lines”
Be a Rabbit Detective – Life Cycle, Biomimicry, Inspiration for Ideas
In a local park not far from our house there are lots of rabbits running around. Watching the bouncy rabbits is always an exciting time. Rabbits are also a common pet. And pets can provide the perfect inspiration for new ideas. Clipart Le Petite Market What if you were trapped in a cage with noContinueContinue reading “Be a Rabbit Detective – Life Cycle, Biomimicry, Inspiration for Ideas”
Endangered Frogs and Lily Pads – Biomimicry for Young Children
What would you think if there were no frogs to kiss? In stories, frogs are often portrayed as ugly and slimy. When frogs are not hopping off lily pads, or croaking”ribbit” in the pond, they are often said to turn into a beautiful prince or princess if you dare to kiss them. And it isContinueContinue reading “Endangered Frogs and Lily Pads – Biomimicry for Young Children”
9 Nature Books Perfect for Biomimicry
I hope I have inspired you all to include Biomimicry in your life, whether it is in the classroom or at home. Below is a list of great books to use when observing plants and animals and to spark an interest in asking big questions. The focus when using biomimicry is on observing animals andContinueContinue reading “9 Nature Books Perfect for Biomimicry”
Biomimicry Challenge – Day 4
Do you love animals that look a bit creepy? This challenge is for you! The aye-aye is a gremlin-looking creature found in Madagascar. But the lemur is a harmless creature unless you are a larvae. Aye-ayes are primates and related to chimpanzees, apes, and humans. They have several unusual traits, big eyes, big ears andContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Challenge – Day 4”
Biomimicry Challenge – Day 3
A curious mind asks lots of questions and then search for answers. Question-asking is at the very core of thinking and innovation. A special kind of question that can be acted upon and lead to change in the way we look at things. Question asking is a skill that is different from typing rather predictableContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Challenge – Day 3”
Autumn Leaves – Colour and Shape
Being a nature detective during the autumn can be a lot of fun. Mushrooms just waiting to be admired and sometimes even picked. If you walk quietly you may spot squirrels and birds. Acorns, conkers and pine cones can be collected and turned into wonderful arts and crafts. Piles of leaves just waiting for youContinueContinue reading “Autumn Leaves – Colour and Shape”
Eternal Magic Leaf Sheep Snack Bar and Photosynthesis – Biomimicry
A couple of weeks ago, I found the cutest little leaf sheep. A sea slug that looks adorable and who has the most amazing ability – an animal that can rely on sunshine for its nutrition. It sounds like a test from school and you would definitely fail if you ticked that genes from anContinueContinue reading “Eternal Magic Leaf Sheep Snack Bar and Photosynthesis – Biomimicry”
The Twelve Months of Endangered Animals Songs- Cool & Hot Zebra Socks
On the eighth day of August we saved eight elegant zebras. Black and white stripes. The skin helps to keep the zebra cool. So the answer to a lot of problems may be “zebra”! The pattern of the black and white stripes may be correlated to the climate where the zebras are living. TheContinueContinue reading “The Twelve Months of Endangered Animals Songs- Cool & Hot Zebra Socks”
Biomimicry Challenge – Day 2
Have you ever watched a dog shaking water off? Or seen the way a cat’s eyes glow in the dark? The first thing our dog does when he has had a bath is to shake off the water. We try to stop him but he insists and we end up having a shower. We laughContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Challenge – Day 2”
Biomimicry for Young Children Challenge – Day 1
Welcome to the Biomimicry challenge. Seven days filled with inspiration to observe animals and plants and to use these as a platform upon which ideas, buildings and inventions can be developed. An innovative approach to a subject requires courage to break patterns and to question ideas. The earlier children are taught this the more successfulContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children Challenge – Day 1”
Sunday Walk – Autumn Biomimicry Food Challenge
The forest is coming to a standstill and animals are preparing for the colder weather. One year the theme for the Biomimicry Institute’s Global Design Challenge was How to improve food systems by looking to nature for design solutions. We decided to embrace this challenge on our Sunday walk. Autumn is a busy time forContinueContinue reading “Sunday Walk – Autumn Biomimicry Food Challenge”
Learning Requires New Skills – Critical Thinking, Lat Jumping and Biomimicry
What do you think of the idea that students should be allowed to use the Internet in exams? We may be at a turning point for exams. At least high school examinations but I am sure that the changes will eventually spread to primary school. The idea that an examination should gauge whether a childContinueContinue reading “Learning Requires New Skills – Critical Thinking, Lat Jumping and Biomimicry”
Biomimicry for Young Children Inspired by the Endangered Sloths
Bring slowness into the world! On the Second Day of February, We Saved Two Sleepy Sloths Would it not be great to stretch time? How can we celebrate slowfulness? William Beebe was a sloth researcher who was very impressed by the sloths’ slowness. He wrote, “Sloths have no right to be living on this earth,ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children Inspired by the Endangered Sloths”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Dugongs – Donald Dugong Seacleaner
Meet Donald Dugong Seacleaner! The graceful dugongs spend time eating seagrass from the bottom of the sea. Seagrass is important to save. We wrote a story about Doctor Delia Dugong who saved the seagrass. We also reversed our thinking and ended up with an idea where we take something away from the sea that doesContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Dugongs – Donald Dugong Seacleaner”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Dugongs
Dugongs spark our curiosity and tug our heart-strings. These sea cows are beautiful and fascinating creatures. The first day of January we saved One swimming dugong Inspired by the carol “The Twelve days of Christmas”, we made up a song where we each month saved an animal – The Twelve Months of Endangered Animals Song.ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Dugongs”
Imagine a city! A Smart City!
People flying with their umbrellas as the wind blows. Paintings that escape from their frames. Buses are fish and fish fly in the sky! Imagine a City by Elise Hurst is an invitation to imagine all sorts of fantastic things. She encourages us to not only imagine fantastical cities but also takes the game aContinueContinue reading “Imagine a city! A Smart City!”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Magic DinoPills
What if you were a dentist? Can you invent something inspired by dinosaurs? Magnificent plant-eating dinosaurs provided inspiration for the idea of Magic DinoPills. The long-necked, plant-eating giants such as Diplodocus and Camarasaurus grew new teeth every couple of months. Their diet consisting of plants such a trees, bushes, cycads, ginkgoes and ferns worn downContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Magic DinoPills”
Jelly Bean Frog Story Writing and Robos- Biomimicry for Young Children
Tiny, tiny, tiny frogs! Some frogs are the size of a jellybean. Jelly bean frogs – wonderful inspiration! Of course, we could not resist cutting out the tiniest frogs and putting them beside jelly beans. Brachycephalus frogs are less than 1 cm long (0.39 inches) or approximately the size of a jelly bean. They haveContinueContinue reading “Jelly Bean Frog Story Writing and Robos- Biomimicry for Young Children”
Fibonacci, Cones and Biomimicry
Pine cones can be a great source of inspiration for craft and art projects. Use goggle eyes to transform a cone into a pet, a monster, or an owl. Wrap the cone in tinsel and glitter and have a sparkly Christmas decoration. The seeds can be glued onto a paper and a hedgehog or birdContinueContinue reading “Fibonacci, Cones and Biomimicry”
Spooky Spiderlicious Spycamera – Halloween Inspired Biomimicry for Young Children
Be inspired by Spiders to prevent a thief from stealing Halloween treats. Spiders! Oh no! Although I have never been afraid of spiders I must admit that finding a poisonous redback in my shoes in Queensland did make me jump back. The redback spider is a beautiful black spider with a big red stripe onContinueContinue reading “Spooky Spiderlicious Spycamera – Halloween Inspired Biomimicry for Young Children”
Why is Biomimicry Important?
It might be difficult to understand why biomimicry is important and what children can learn from this approach to look at nature to find inspiration for new ideas. Most schools teach children about how animals and plants grow, where they can be found, and taxonomy but nature can be used as an inspiration to solveContinueContinue reading “Why is Biomimicry Important?”
Bioluminescent Deep-Sea Animals
CroakMet Messaging Service – Biomimicry for Young Children
In the summertime, bike riding is, even more, fun! Yet there are several problems with bike riding. Frogs amazing bulging eyes and their low horse croaking sound provided inspiration to solve two of the most annoying problems. How to talk to your best friend without shouting? How to see everything that goes on behind you?ContinueContinue reading “CroakMet Messaging Service – Biomimicry for Young Children”
Biomimicry, British Wildlife and Foxes – Fox Nose box
Foxes are fantastic. They can leap up into the air and dive into a pile of snow to catch a mouse. Inspired by foxes we made a Fox Nose Box – the food packing of the future. Just like foxes have great noses so does this food box. The black nose is filled with trillionsContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry, British Wildlife and Foxes – Fox Nose box”
Biomimicry Postal Stamps to Celebrate Nature
Postal stamps to celebrate nature! Stamps are awesome. And if you are wondering how big the gap between teeth on the jagged edge you find the answer in the mind-boggling book Science of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. “An atom is only about one hundred-millionth of a centimetre across so that it would take tenContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Postal Stamps to Celebrate Nature”
Biomimicry for Young Children 