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 many ideas.
Observe, listen, touch, smell and, in some cases, even taste.
Creativity, curiosity, and observing the world are exciting ways to bring nature into the classroom or home. Mixing science and art makes learning more fun and engaging. Understanding how animals and plants can be used as a platform for ideas, buildings, and inventions is a powerful tool.
We made a mind map to get a visual overview of our observations (see dandelion seeds), ideas, and feelings. We started by writing down what we were going to do. You can read more about how to use mind mapping by clicking here. Also, a link to a blog post I wrote for Tony Buzan’s blog.
Drawing the structure of a dandelion can create a simple mind map. We made one inspired by Bluebell; click here.
We decided to explore the idea of making tree-planting parachutes. The inspiration came from Oliver Jeffers’s book The Great Paper Caper, a story about animals discovering that trees are disappearing from their forest and launching an investigation to determine who is responsible.
Our idea developed into providing nutrients for the tree through colourful pasta that decomposes into the soil. We painted pasta, spiral pasta, and lasagna sheets with liquid food colouring and acrylic paint. We made the parachute thingy using an egg carton and a plastic planter wrapped in brown paper.
And here is the tree-planting parachute.
A parachute planter inspired by dandelion seeds, filled with nutrients in the form of pasta. And we hope this idea will inspire everyone to plant more trees, love trees, and admire dandelion seeds as they drift by.
Go here to read more about aerial seeding.
Photo. Skitterphoto
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.