Biomimicry Intro Slides Nature Engineers
The Science of Biomimicry
Mystery Word
Biomimicry
Bio
What does it mean?
Mimic
What does it mean?
Inventing with Plants!
Embedded media
Watch for the secret of the sticky seeds!
The Official Definition
Bio = Life
Living things like plants and animals.
Mimicry = To Copy
To imitate or act like something else.
"When we take ideas from nature and use them to create new things, we call it biomimicry."
Design Challenge
Nature's Inventor
Choose a cool feature from a plant or animal.
Think of a human problem it could solve.
Sketch your invention on your Biomimicry Blueprint .
Explain how nature inspired your idea!
Time to Build
Need Inspiration?
🦆
Webbed Feet
Pushes more water to swim faster.
🐢
Hard Shell
Protecting soft bodies from bumps.
🦇
Echolocation
Using sound to "see" in the dark.
Look at your inspiration cards for more ideas!
Biomimicry Inspiration Cards Inspiration Cards
Nature Engineers STEM Unit
Research Station
🦆
Webbed Feet
Duck, Goose, Swan
Nature's Secret
Flaps of skin between toes act like paddles to push more water.
Think Like an Engineer
How could this help humans move through water faster?
🐢
Hard Shell
Turtle, Tortoise
Nature's Secret
A strong, dome-shaped shield that protects the soft body inside.
Think Like an Engineer
What do humans use that needs to be tough and protective?
🦇
Echolocation
Bat, Dolphin
Nature's Secret
Bouncing sound waves off objects to "see" where they are in the dark.
Think Like an Engineer
How could we help people "see" things they can't actually look at?
🌱
Sticky Burrs
Burdock Plant
Nature's Secret
Tiny hooks that latch onto loops of fur or fabric to hitch a ride.
Think Like an Engineer
What's another way humans could use things that stick and peel?
✂️ Teacher Note: Cut these cards out for student groups to use during the brainstorm.
Biomimicry Blueprint Worksheet Biomimicry Blueprint
Design Challenge: Nature's Inventor
Engineer:
Date:
1
My Nature Inspiration
Plant or Animal:
Cool Feature (Adaptation):
2
Invention Sketch
Invention Name:
Tip: Use arrows and labels to show how your invention works!
3
How it Works
Explain how your invention "mimics" or copies nature to solve a problem:
My invention solves the problem of
It copies nature because
Biomimicry Anchor Chart Biomimicry
Nature's Best Ideas!
BIO
Living Things
MIMIC
To Copy
Definition
"When humans take inspiration from nature to solve a problem or create something new."
Nature's Inventors at Work:
🌱
Sticky Burrs ➔ Velcro
Plant hooks inspired the sticky tape on your shoes!
🐦
Kingfisher Beak ➔ Bullet Train
A bird's pointy beak inspired faster, quieter trains.
🦈
Shark Skin ➔ Fast Swimsuits
Bumpy skin helps sharks swim fast, so we copied it for racers!
Look Closer. Be Curious. Mimic Nature!