Activity #4: Biomimicry Challenge
Materials: None
STEP 1: Now that you’ve explored weather, climate, and the greenhouse effect, you’ve seen how human choices shape the environment. But understanding the problem is only part of the work—real change comes when we start imagining better ways forward. That’s why we will always end our science work by applying what we’ve learned to the living world through biomimicry. Nature has already solved many of the challenges we face, often in ways that are efficient, sustainable, and beautifully simple. Looking to nature for ideas helps us think more creatively, act more responsibly, and design solutions that work with the planet—not against it. Watch the videos below and complete the summaries in your workbook.
STEP 3: Watch the video below to learn how the AskNature website has evolved and what it offers: AskNature is a free website created by the Biomimicry Institute that helps you explore how nature solves problems. It includes real examples of how plants, animals, and ecosystems deal with challenges like collecting water, staying cool, or surviving storms—and shows how these ideas can inspire human design. After watching the video, go to https://asknature.org and take a few minutes to explore the site. In your workbook, write down a few things observations about the website—such as how it’s organized, what kinds of examples it includes, or how you think it could help you with your own ideas. This will help get you ready for the biomimicry challenge.
STEP 3: This week you’ve learned about climate, weather, and how the Earth is changing. Now it’s time to come up with a solution. For this challenge, you’ll use the AskNature website to see how plants, animals, or ecosystems solve problems—then use what you find to design something that could help with a climate-related issue.
Start by thinking of a problem you noticed this week—something like rising heat, stronger storms, or changing weather. Then go to the AskNature website and search for how nature deals with that kind of challenge. Pick one idea from the site that you think is interesting or helpful.
Next, come up with a design or invention that’s inspired by that natural idea. How could we copy what nature does to solve a problem humans are facing? You can sketch it, describe it, or add links or pictures if you want. Keep track of your work in your workbook. Include:
- The problem you’re trying to solve
- What you found on AskNature
- Your idea for how it could be used to help people or the planet
The video below might give you some inspiration too. I’m excited to see what you come up with!