A Bat in the Urban Garden
The bat appeared out of nowhere. A sudden, fleeting shadow against the fading light of dusk. In the heart of the urban garden, this glimpse was a unique window into the hidden natural world thriving amidst the bricks and concrete. The unexpected appearance of this shadowy visitor serves as a reminder of the vibrant, often unseen, life that coexists with our human spaces.
But nature observation is not just a quiet pastime; instead, it is the very foundation of biomimicry, a powerful approach to innovation. By carefully observing the natural world, we uncover a treasure trove of ingenious solutions, elegant designs, and efficient processes honed over millions of years of evolution. This is not just about appreciating nature’s beauty. The core is about actively seeking inspiration within its intricate workings. The more deeply we understand these natural systems, the more opportunities we discover to create sustainable and effective solutions to human challenges.
This process of learning from nature is not merely about copying; rather, the focus is on understanding the underlying principles and applying them creatively to solve problems in innovative ways. Observing nocturnal creatures like bats and studying their intricate echolocation and their aerodynamic flight provides a rich source of inspiration for biomimicry. The design of their wings, for instance, is being studied to improve the efficiency of wind turbines and drones.
The Honduran white bat is being studied as a model to understand and potentially combat macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in humans. The bat can store a yellow pigment called lutein in its ears, nose-leaf and lips. Yellow pigments play a significant role in human health, particularly in eye health. Studying this cute tent-making bat may lead to insights into how to use these yellow pigments to prevent macular degeneration. Macular disease is a form of blindness, with blurred or no vision in the centre of the visual field.
Biomimicry Journaling: A Powerful Tool
Biomimicry journaling, or nature journaling, is a powerful as well as fun way to gain understanding. Drawing helps to sharpen a child’s observation skills, and adding ideas about innovation and ways to solve a problem inspired by an animal, plant, or fungi is a wonderful way to boost the child’s confidence in exploring nature as a source of inspiration.
Sparking Curiosity and Empowering Young Innovators
Generative AI (GenAI) offers exciting possibilities for enhancing biomimicry exploration. AI-powered platforms can create immersive virtual environments where students can explore ecosystems and interact with organisms, observing adaptations firsthand. However, it’s crucial to remember that AI outputs should always be checked for accuracy.
While AI can be a powerful tool, it’s essential to emphasise the importance of knowledge and understanding. AI should complement, not replace, the learning process. By combining hands-on nature exploration with AI’s capabilities, we can empower a new generation of biomimicry enthusiasts.
Empowering Young Minds
Encourage children to study animals, plants, and fungi, make drawings, and build models of their ideas. Using AI to transform an idea into an AI-generated image can further enhance their understanding. By writing prompts and evaluating the output, children can access new research and develop critical thinking skills. This holistic approach—combining nature study, creative expression, and responsible AI usage – will foster a deeper appreciation for nature and nurture the next generation of innovators.
Featured image – AI-generated image and an image of a Honduran white bat.
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As you probably have noticed, prompted images can look strange. Prompting is a skill, and it also requires patience. I do not generate several images due to the amount of energy used when using AI. I will discuss the energy use in a later blog post.
Below is another example of the image with the girl and the invention. I used a different prompt and got a rather different-looking image, but it is still wrong!
AI-generated image
Sources
- PNAS, Tropical bat as mammalian model for skin carotenoid metabolism
- Phys.org, Tropical bats found to use carotenoids for skin coloration
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.