“Is this the biggest tree in the park. . . the forest. . . or the whole world?
We may hear kids being impressed by trees, plants and animals, and that is great. But we can also support kids to notice and be impressed by the variety of different types of trees, plants, and animals that live in your garden or local park.
What is biodiversity and why do we need it?
Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area or ecosystem, and a great outdoor science activity to do with kids is to explore more in-depth the ecosystem in your garden, schoolyard or local park. Trees, shrubs and plants will be growing in the area and insects, birds and perhaps small animals will visit the area.
Biodiversity changes with the season in an area. Where we live, there are fewer flowers and birds in the garden during the winter months. In the spring and summer months, the garden is bursting with flowers that attract a huge variety of insects.
Spend some time together and enjoy counting the types of plants, animals and fungi that you can see. Also, count the number of each species. Wait a couple of weeks and then count the number of species and the number of each species. You can calculate the biodiversity index by dividing the number of species by the number of each species. It is fascinating to see how the index might change depending on the season and also on where you are making the count.
In the video below, David Attenborough talks about why we need nature and what we can do to conserve biodiversity.
You may also like “Why is Biodiversity Important for Biomimicry“
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.