“In that earliest childhood, we get those invisible glasses through which we look at the world all our lives, and these glasses color our views.”
Lainšček, 2020
The end of Autumn!
Observing the changes in the weather and the seasons is fascinating. But often, we do not take the time to watch and ponder over the changes. Spending a couple of minutes every day is like going on a little mini-vacation. New adventures and new excitements. Watching the changes help to build a connection and a sense of respect for life.
A slow walk outside where you are allowed to look closely, listen, smell and feel the world around us is a wonderful learning experience. And it also helps a child to develop empathy and grow as a person.
Here are some videos about the changes of season. They provide wonderful material for discussions about the changes in seasons.
Premier Automne is a little gem. A beautiful journey that explores life, death and the seasons. The ending is fascinating and this video may ignite several deep questions about nature.
“Abel lives in the winter and Apolline lives in the summer. Isolated in their “natures”, they never met each other. They are not even supposed to meet. So when Abel crosses the border and discovers Apolline, curiosity is overwhelming. Their encounter soon becomes more complicated than they could imagine. Both of them will have to learn compromise to protect the other…”
You can learn about the making of the video. Watching how animations are made is always fascinating and it gives in the extra bonus of watching some beautiful details.
The Little Bird is a series of short videos – one for each season. In this video it is Autumn.
“. . .at the end of a branch hangs a red leaf. A little black bird comes along to water it when suddenly, a squirrel nicks the bird’s bright green watering can. The bird follows the cheeky thief and so begins an exciting chase through the forest.”
You can watch more Little Birds videos here.
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.