Welcome June with open arms! June is a month filled with interesting events and celebrations. The June solstice typically occurs around June 20th or 21st. This marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (the shortest in the Southern Hemisphere). The thing I miss most about Sweden is the midnight sun. It is like there is never really a summer without those long, light summer nights. The midsummer celebration in Sweden involves picking flowers and making wreaths to place on the midsummer pole. Dancing, singing and spending time outdoors.
June is World Oceans Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about Earth’s oceans and coastal ecosystems. Around 71 per cent of the world’s surface is ocean, so promoting and developing ideas on how to best protect our oceans is crucial.
The BeezyTeacher and I have made a STREAM resource for the story about Orla. You’ll find it here.
June is also National Pollinator Month. You can explore pollinators such as bees and bats. Recently, a pollinating frog was discovered, and this could be a great introduction to bringing attention to the relationship between pollinators and plants. It is exciting to talk about recent discoveries!
World Reef Day – June 1st
Raise awareness this World Reef Day and explore some of the most beneficial and beautiful reefs that have been diminishing because of coral bleaching, rising ocean temperatures, and toxic pollution.
World Environment Day – June 5th
The aim is to bring awareness to the importance of action to protect our planet. This day was introduced by the United Nations in 1972, and it shares goals with Earth Day. There is no such thing as too much environmental awareness, and this day provides you with a chance to help your students reflect on changes since the Earth Day celebrations – 22nd April. Not long ago, but still, awareness of our environment means that we listen more, and students may have gained new insights and read something interesting.
This year, the theme is “Ending Plastic Pollution”.
Below is a list of some other great animals and days to celebrate. Perfect inspiration for projects or a short morning talk!
- National Dragonfly Day and World Ocean Day – June 8th
- National Megalodon Day – June 15th
- World Sea Turtle Day – June 16th
National Seashell Day and World Giraffe Day – June 21st
- World Rainforest Day – June 22nd
A project about watermelons is perfect for summer school. Can you make sustainable leather using watermelons? It might be a challenge since watermelons are filled with water. Wonderful discussions about sustainability might emerge.
You’ll find the resources here, here or here.
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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.