Discover how the natural world can fuel your imagination in the age of AI. This post explores creative prompting ideas inspired by biomimicry, ecosystems, and the patterns of the wild — perfect for writers, educators, and anyone seeking to merge technology with nature’s wisdom. Whether you’re crafting stories, designing lessons, or sparking innovation, let forests, rivers, and even fungi guide your next great idea.
I attended a fascinating webinar last week, “The Future of Cities Webinar: The Role of Biomimicry – with Amanda Sturgeon and Paul Hameister”.
Ask Nature is developing a Nature App based on the pioneering work of Janine Benyus. They are essentially transforming her book and core concepts into an accessible, digital tool, making it easier for people to draw on nature’s wisdom to solve problems and design innovative, sustainable solutions.
It’s a modern and generous move, but not a surprising one. Those working in biomimicry often bring not only ingenuity but also deep care and compassion to their work.
Below are some AI prompts for Nature Enthusiasts that hopefully can inspire you to use biomimicry in your classroom or homeschool. If you want to go deeper into AI-assisted pattern discovery specifically, see How to Use AI to Discover Amazing Patterns That Could Change the World.
You can download them for FREE here.
We tested one prompt. And here is the design. The task is now to improve on this design. This is a great learning experience.
By carefully prompting AI, children have a design concept that can be used to further explore a topic.
AI-generated image.
Concept Name: ChromaShift Jacket
Inspiration:
The Arctic fox adapts to seasonal changes by transforming its fur—white for snowy winters and brown for rocky summers—offering both camouflage and insulation.
Design Features
Thermochromic Outer Layer
- Uses thermochromic fibres that change colour based on temperature.
- In cold weather, the jacket turns white or light grey, blending with snowy surroundings.
- In the warmer months, it shifts to brown or earth tones, mimicking the tundra landscape.
Modular Insulation System
- Layers of natural and breathable insulation (like wool or bio-based aerogels) that can be zipped in or out depending on the temperature.
- The inner lining adjusts warmth without bulky padding, much like a fox grows or sheds its fur seasonally.
Smart Climate Control
- Integrated lightweight sensors monitor outside temperature and body heat, triggering subtle shifts in insulation or airflow.
- Optional connection to an app for manual or automatic adjustments.
Sustainable Materials
- Outer shell made of recycled bio-fibres or algae-based polymers, dyed using non-toxic, plant-based colourants.
- Built using local and biodegradable materials—aligned with nature’s low-impact strategies.
Bonus: Camouflage Mode (Optional Feature)
For outdoor adventurers, a “stealth mode” activates micro-patterns that match the surroundings using active, colour-adaptive technology (similar to how cephalopods or foxes blend with their terrain).
Download the free prompt sheet above, pick one, and see what AI generates. Then ask: what would you change? What’s missing that a real Arctic fox would have? Improving on a first draft is exactly how real design works.
For more blog posts about Ethics, AI and Nature, click 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.