Can we create solutions to environmental challenges based on features that appear in nature? Can we make products with structures that mimic animal adaptations? Use these resources, including a nod to an early biomimicry specialist, Leonardo da Vinci, to let the STEMagination begin to roll. Then, join us on the Virtual Field Trip to investigate and come to your own creative conclusions.

FEATURED EVENT

Young Scientist’s Nature-Inspired Virtual Field Trip
December 14 | 1:00PM ET

On December 14, join us for a Virtual Field Trip with Anne-Lise Emig from Science Channel’s Street Science as she takes students on a journey to explore biomimicry, engineering based on natural biological occurrences, patterns, and processes.

LEARN

How Does Biomimicry Help People
Discovery Education Streaming, Social Studies Techbook
Grades K-2, Core Interactive Text

Students build a structure from paper that copies nature’s design and begin to develop an understanding of the challenges that face our society.
 
Following Nature’s Lead
Discovery Education Streaming, Social Studies Techbook
Grades 6-8, 9-12, Investigation

Explore how scientists and engineers use nature to inspire their designs and innovations.
 
Biomimicry and Photosynthesis
Discovery Education Streaming, Social Studies Techbook
Grades 9-12, Video Segment

To understand how scientists attempt to mimic photosynthesis, let us start by reviewing some basic processes involved in energy transfer and capture.
 
Project: Biomimicry
Discovery Education Streaming, Social Studies Techbook
Grades 9-12, Core Interactive Text

In this formative STEM project, students work in small groups to apply what they have learned about the characteristics of conifers in a design. Students learn about biomimicry, which is the use of biological structure or functions as the basis for engineering design.
 
Spigot Science: Design: Scientists Are People Too
Discovery Education Streaming, Social Studies Techbook
Grades 6-8, Reading Passage

Briefly explores Leonardo da Vinci as an artist, and encourages students to explore the world around them as he might have done.
 
Sketches of Flying Machines by Leonardo da Vinci
Discovery Education Streaming, Social Studies Techbook
Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Image

Flying machines and parts thereof, sketches from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. He studied and sketched the flight of birds.

APPLY

It’s just too fun to imagine what’s possible. Allow your students to dream big about solutions to worldwide problems and then develop a Paper Slide video, a strategy from the SOS series that features the logical sequencing of salient points, to explain the challenge and their engineering solution based on biomimicry. Focus on creativity and a demonstrated understanding of biomimicry rather than rational potential as you consider the products of your students’ creations.

Interested in joining classrooms around the world to Celebrate holidays year round? Check out our Timely Content Page for our Virtual Viewing Parties and more Instructional Strategies.