Activity #4: Biomimicry Challenge

STEP 1: This week, you’ve explored how insects play a vital role in ecosystems—from pollination to decomposition to forming complex relationships with plants and animals. Now it’s time to think like a designer and look for nature-inspired solutions. For this biomimicry challenge, you’ll use the AskNature website to explore how insects or other small organisms support biodiversity and ecosystem health—and then use what you learn to inspire a new invention or idea.

Start by thinking of a biodiversity-related problem you noticed this week. It could be something like declining pollinator populations, poor seed dispersal, habitat fragmentation, or a lack of ecosystem balance.

Go to the AskNature website and search for how insects, animals, or plants help create or maintain biodiversity. Once you find a biological strategy you like, use it to inspire a design that could help humans protect, restore, or learn from these natural systems. If you need a reminder of what biomimicry is, revisit the videos from our first challenge in Unit 1. In your workbook, record:

• The biodiversity problem you’re trying to solve
• What strategy you discovered on AskNature
• Your idea for how it could inspire a real-world design
• A sketch, description, or link to a visual of your invention

I can’t wait to see what creative, insect-inspired ideas you come up with!