What you’ll learn: why a Nobel laureate and an architect think our buildings have lost their ambition, what a termite mound already knows about cooling a building without air conditioning, and why the idea of making AI data centres beautiful is really an opportunity to make them biomimetic instead. Buildings as public health The mostContinueContinue reading “Termite Mounds Already Solved the Data Centre Problem”
Author Archives: maliasa
The Secret Air Conditioning Inside Every Old Tree
A hollow in an old tree looks like a hole, but for a squirrel, an owl or a bat, it can be a shelter from heatwaves and cold snaps, and it does this with no wiring, no fuel and no maintenance. New research suggests just how well these hidden chambers work. It might change howContinueContinue reading “The Secret Air Conditioning Inside Every Old Tree”
Beachcombing Bladderwrack, Revisited: What’s Changed on the Shore?
Ahh, the smell of the sea again. Sunday took me back to the same stretch of beach where, six years ago, I first wrote about bladderwrack and its curious air bubbles. Same tide line, same sand, same seaweed washed up in dark, glistening clumps. I found myself crouching over another cluster almost without thinking —ContinueContinue reading “Beachcombing Bladderwrack, Revisited: What’s Changed on the Shore?”
How It All Began: My First Time Blogging About Biomimicry
Every big idea starts small. Mine started in August 2017, with a pastel drawing of a feather, a handful of homemade postage stamps, and a very curious child asking “what if?” I didn’t know it at the time, but that first week of blogging became the seed for everything this site has grown into sinceContinueContinue reading “How It All Began: My First Time Blogging About Biomimicry”
Fire Doesn’t End the Story — It Turns the Page
Picture a landscape after a wildfire has passed through. Blackened trunks. Grey ash where undergrowth used to be. Smoke still hanging low over the hills. Most of us look at that scene and see an ending. Nature disagrees. This is what wildfires can teach children about patience, timing, and turning crisis into opportunity — threeContinueContinue reading “Fire Doesn’t End the Story — It Turns the Page”
What a River Can Teach You (If You’re Willing to Sit Still)
Stand beside a river for a few minutes and something shifts. This is what rivers can teach children about resilience, generosity, and complexity – three ideas at the heart of biomimicry. What you’ll learn: How rivers solve problems by adapting, not forcing Why complexity (not simplicity) is often the smartest design How a river’s generosityContinueContinue reading “What a River Can Teach You (If You’re Willing to Sit Still)”
What the Wild Edge of a Garden Can Teach Us
Walk to the edge of a forest. Notice how everything changes there — the light shifts, the air cools, and suddenly the world is denser with life. Butterflies hover where meadow grass meets shadow. Beetles burrow where roots meet leaf litter. These boundary zones, what ecologists call edge habitats, are among the most alive placesContinueContinue reading “What the Wild Edge of a Garden Can Teach Us”
Think Like a Butterfly: What Can YOU Design from Spring’s Greatest Transformation?
You’ve discovered the mystery. You’ve met the young scientist. Now it’s your turn to be the inventor. Three ways to explore this: Journal a transformation happening in nature right now Design your own “memory material” Ask your own big question, like Jonah did Spring is the season of transformation. Tadpoles become frogs. Caterpillars become butterflies.ContinueContinue reading “Think Like a Butterfly: What Can YOU Design from Spring’s Greatest Transformation?”
The Boy Who Asked the Question Nobody Thought to Ask
What happens when a curious child decides to take nature’s mysteries seriously? Something remarkable. This is the true story of an 8-year-old who used a real biomimicry-style scientific method — patient observation, testable questions, and respectful experimentation — to make a genuine discovery about butterfly memory. What you’ll learn: How a child’s simple observation ledContinueContinue reading “The Boy Who Asked the Question Nobody Thought to Ask”
The Butterfly’s Secret Superpower: A Memory That Survives the Impossible
Spring is here! And with it comes one of nature’s most astonishing transformations. But what if we told you the most mind-blowing part isn’t the wings? Have you ever watched a caterpillar crawl slowly along a leaf and thought: how on earth does that become a butterfly? It’s one of spring’s most magical mysteries. AndContinueContinue reading “The Butterfly’s Secret Superpower: A Memory That Survives the Impossible”
Nature’s Early Warning System: What Animal Vision Can Teach Us About Saving the Planet
Close your eyes for a moment. Now open them. What you just did — that effortless flood of light, colour, and motion — is the result of hundreds of millions of years of ruthless biological engineering. But here’s the thing: your way of seeing is just one solution to the problem. Nature has found thousandsContinueContinue reading “Nature’s Early Warning System: What Animal Vision Can Teach Us About Saving the Planet”
The Octopus’s Playground: Why Intelligence Blooms Through Curiosity
A young octopus in a research tank discovers a plastic bottle. For the next hour, it pushes the bottle around, fills it with water, empties it, threads its arms through the opening, and even appears to “juggle” it between tentacles. There’s no survival benefit to this behaviour – no food reward, no predator to escape.ContinueContinue reading “The Octopus’s Playground: Why Intelligence Blooms Through Curiosity”
What AI Can’t Reach and What Nature Reveals
What AI Can’t Reach and What Nature Reveals A child stands in a forest, headphones off, trying to identify a bird by its call alone. No app. No image search. No instant answer. Just the sound, and the uncertainty of not quite knowing yet. This is a strange thing to protect on purpose. But itContinueContinue reading “What AI Can’t Reach and What Nature Reveals”
Birth of a Squirrel
A rare glimpse into a cosy tree hollow where a red squirrel gives birth to kits. Watch and share these precious moments in a squirrel’s life with you children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSCLeALKiuo I have a FREEBIE about the Life Cycle of Squirrels. You can download it here. You may also like this blog post. It is aboutContinueContinue reading “Birth of a Squirrel”
Nature’s Recycling Heroes: How Old Things Become New Again
“Why nothing in nature really gets ‘thrown away’ — and what that teaches us about clothes and waste” Have you ever watched leaves fall in autumn and then disappear into the soil by spring? Or seen mushrooms growing on an old tree stump? That’s nature’s secret recycling team at work! The Great Circle of StuffContinueContinue reading “Nature’s Recycling Heroes: How Old Things Become New Again”
Biomimicry Marshmallow Challenges: When Nature Meets STEM Learning
A five-year-old squints at a wobbling tower. It leans. It trembles. It collapses. She laughs, reaches for another marshmallow, and begins again. Somewhere between that small, sticky failure and the next attempt, learning takes root. Nature has been solving engineering problems for 3.8 billion years. In classrooms filled with marshmallows and toothpicks, children are rediscoveringContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Marshmallow Challenges: When Nature Meets STEM Learning”
How Aquatic Plant Roots, Pollen, and Swarm Intelligence Are Shaping Tomorrow’s Technology
From Earth to Mars, from cell surfaces to AI brains — nature’s ancient patterns are guiding cutting-edge innovation. Nature’s Patterns Are Solving Tomorrow’s Problems Today Nature speaks in patterns — spirals in sunflowers, branches in trees, networks in roots. These designs aren’t just beautiful; they’re functional blueprints that have evolved over millions of years toContinueContinue reading “How Aquatic Plant Roots, Pollen, and Swarm Intelligence Are Shaping Tomorrow’s Technology”
What Bears, Sleep, and Space Can Teach Us About Healthy Futures
Every winter, bears quietly disappear into dens. They don’t eat. They don’t drink. They barely move. And yet, months later, they emerge strong, alert, and ready for life again. For years, bears have been a favourite organism for biomimicry learning — and for good reason. Their paws, fur, claws, diets, and digging behaviours are richContinueContinue reading “What Bears, Sleep, and Space Can Teach Us About Healthy Futures”
Invite a Tree and a Tree Kangaroo for Tea!
A video from Wunderled Teaching made me think of an old blog post about a Tea Party! Here is an updated version of my blog post and the video, High Tea Plaza Excursion. I would love to know who you would like to invite to a Tea Party! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_qI8xrkPk4 The Woodland Trust is encouraging familiesContinueContinue reading “Invite a Tree and a Tree Kangaroo for Tea!”
Life’s Hidden Teachers: What Extremophiles Know About Survival
What if nature wasn’t a museum to visit or a textbook to memorise—but a thinking partner? Right now, beneath Antarctic ice in lakes that have been dark for thousands of years, microscopic organisms are solving problems we’re still trying to understand. They live where almost nothing else can. No sunlight. Temperatures are far below freezing.ContinueContinue reading “Life’s Hidden Teachers: What Extremophiles Know About Survival”
Why I’m Setting Intentions, Not Goals, for 2026
2025 was supposed to be my year of writing—children’s stories about nature, biomimicry and climate change. These weren’t just random projects; they were meant to be part of a series I’d already begun, books designed to weave facts and fiction together to spark wonder in young readers. To show them that nature isn’t just somethingContinueContinue reading “Why I’m Setting Intentions, Not Goals, for 2026”
November in the Nature Classroom
November is Manatee Awareness Month! In 2005, the United States designated this special month to raise awareness about these stunning animals and their importance to the marine ecosystem. Their moving bodies are fascinating and fun to watch. Manatees and dugongs are endangered species. This Christmas resource includes dugongs, perfect if your children are fascinated byContinueContinue reading “November in the Nature Classroom”
From Consumers to Creators: Using Nature’s Rhythms to Build Imaginative Intelligence
Every seed holds a secret: it grows not through force, but through the quiet patience of its surroundings. In the forest, stillness is not absence — it is presence. Beneath the hush of winter snow, life is busy weaving roots. Beneath the still pond, new worlds unfold. In these pauses, nature gathers itself, reflecting, recalibrating,ContinueContinue reading “From Consumers to Creators: Using Nature’s Rhythms to Build Imaginative Intelligence”
The Fire Beetle Sees What’s Coming: Adaptive Teaching in the Age of AI
A practical guide for educators to blend biomimicry, AI literacy, and climate resilience in the classroom. While most creatures flee from wildfire, the Australian fire beetle races toward it. This remarkable insect possesses infrared sensors so sensitive that it can detect a burning tree from 80 km (50 miles) away. But here’s what makes itContinueContinue reading “The Fire Beetle Sees What’s Coming: Adaptive Teaching in the Age of AI”
Learning from Living Systems: Four More Nature-Inspired Climate Assignments for the Age of Connection
In nature, life learns and adapts through relationships – every living system is shaped by its interactions with others and the world around it. A forest exchanges knowledge underground through its mycorrhizal threads, coral reefs build strength through countless tiny collaborations, and a flock of birds finds its direction not by hierarchy, but through connection.ContinueContinue reading “Learning from Living Systems: Four More Nature-Inspired Climate Assignments for the Age of Connection”
Stop Trying to Block AI. Design Better Assignments Instead.
We spend too much time worrying about whether students are using AI – and not enough time asking why our assignments are so easily replaced by it. If ChatGPT, Claude, Aria, or Google Gemini can complete an assignment in thirty seconds, perhaps the problem isn’t with the students, or even the technology, but with theContinueContinue reading “Stop Trying to Block AI. Design Better Assignments Instead.”
AskNature Chat – Creating a Story and Resource about Fire for Children
I have now tried the AskNature Chat! This blog post is inspired by the results. This is the first prompt that I tested, and the ideas evolved over a couple of days. About AskNature Chat “Guided by the overarching ethical approach of biomimicry –emulating the way life creates conditions conducive to life –it helps notContinueContinue reading “AskNature Chat – Creating a Story and Resource about Fire for Children”
How to Use AI to Discover Amazing Patterns That Could Change the World
Artificial Intelligence is like having a research assistant who never gets tired, it can sift through mountains of information in seconds. But just like a detective, it only finds the best clues if you ask the right questions. That’s where the magic happens: pairing smart prompts with nature’s timeless designs.
Nature, AI, and Raising Young Innovators: Ceane’s Infinite AI Adventure Meets Biomimicry
Biomimicry teaches us to look at nature’s genius, the spider’s web, the beehive, the leaf’s veins, for ideas that endure and solutions that work. But what if we could bring that same spirit of learning from nature to how children understand and interact with AI? That’s the heart of our new book, Ceane’s Infinite AI Adventure: A Young Explorer’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence, which inspires young minds to see artificial intelligence as a partner in discovery rather than a replacement for their own creativity and wonder.
September in the Nature Classroom
September unveils a spectacular treasure trove of learning opportunities. The woodlands and parks transform into nature’s classroom, bursting with vibrant, changing leaves, glossy conkers, and scattered acorns—each one a gateway to wonder and discovery. Embracing Nature’s Classroom This September, step outside with fresh eyes. Every fallen leaf, every acorn, every unusual mushroom is an invitationContinueContinue reading “September in the Nature Classroom”
Nature’s Heart Surgeon: What Giraffes Teach Us About Medical Innovation
How the world’s tallest mammal is saving lives:
A giraffe’s heart pumps blood three stories up to its brain, generating pressures twice that of a human heart. Now, scientists are using this natural “supercharger” to inspire artificial hearts, surgical techniques, and even astronaut gear. It’s a perfect example of biomimicry, learning from nature to solve some of medicine’s biggest challenges.
What If Our Cities Copied Nature’s Solutions?
Imagine a world where our cities are part of nature. Let’s explore the incredible inventions that could make it happen! We’ll discover how architects are building “animal apartment buildings,” how engineers are bringing buried rivers back to life, and how you can become a biomimicry expert right in your own backyard. Get ready to see how cities are copying nature’s best ideas to help our planet!
Nature’s Inventions: How Engineers Borrow Ideas from Plants and Bugs
Have you ever looked at a busy ant and wondered how it builds a city right under our feet? What if our cities could learn from nature’s incredible secrets? In this new blog series, we’ll become nature detectives and discover how cities are copying plants and animals to become amazing, nature-inspired playgrounds. Get ready to explore a world where buildings are like forests, streets are like rivers, and cities are a home for everyone!
Ancient Wisdom and Modern Robots: How Prehistoric Plants Could Revolutionise Growing Robotics
When we look at robots today, we often imagine shiny metal machines with wheels or arms. But what if a robot could grow like a plant? Scientists are now making “growing robots” that build themselves little by little, just like plants add leaves or stems.
Some of the best ideas for these robots come from very old plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago!
Growing Tomorrow’s Climate Innovators: Biophilic Design Meets AI Literacy
In an age where the built environment and technological advancements are taking precedence over environmental concerns and the natural world, how do we raise children who are rooted in nature and ready for an AI-driven future? This post explores biophilic design and AI literacy, showing how climate-smart schools can breathe, adapt, and inspire. From learning under shade structures that mimic flower petals to prompting AI like nature detectives, children are not just observing the world, they’re shaping its future. Discover how tomorrow’s environmental innovators are growing today, one thoughtful question at a time.
How Biomimicry Can Be Used to Address Climate Change
What if the answers to our biggest climate challenges have already been solved, by nature? In this post, we’ll explore how biomimicry, design inspired by the strategies of living organisms, is helping to create innovative climate solutions. We’ll also look at how children can take part in this movement through storytelling, hands-on design challenges, and imaginative exploration. By learning from the resilience and ingenuity of the natural world, young minds can help shape a more sustainable future.
How to Use Nature as Inspiration in the Classroom
Discover how to transform your classroom into a creative, nature-inspired space where curiosity blooms and ideas grow. This post offers practical and playful strategies to bring nature into learning, whether through outdoor journaling, indoor discovery tables, or storytelling rooted in the natural world. It’s not about testing, it’s about giving children time and space to explore, imagine, and revisit their ideas with wonder.
AI Prompting for Nature Enthusiasts
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.
August in the Nature Classroom
Back to School Month! Or maybe we should call it Prepare for Back to School Month. Across the Northern Hemisphere, the timing of school commencement varies, with some starting in August while others begin in September. Back to School symbolises the excitement of learning! A fresh start filled with hopes and dreams. As we startContinueContinue reading “August in the Nature Classroom”
Climate Change, Adaptation, and the Truth: How Nature and Intelligence Evolve
In a world shaped by climate change, rapid technological growth, and shifting ecosystems, we find ourselves asking big questions, not just about the planet, but about truth, adaptation, and intelligence. What can plants and animals teach us about survival in a changing world? And how does human intelligence, capable of both empathy and deception, shapeContinueContinue reading “Climate Change, Adaptation, and the Truth: How Nature and Intelligence Evolve”
AI Use Values Statement -Building Ethical Frameworks for a Smarter Future
In this blog post, I will explore the intersection of AI and ethics. You can read a more detailed blog post about ethics and AI here. It is up to all of us to be involved in the discussions about what we are building and to move away from AI being designed and used inContinueContinue reading “AI Use Values Statement -Building Ethical Frameworks for a Smarter Future”
What Nature Can Teach Us About Greener AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a part of everyday life, powering everything from voice assistants to personalised learning tools. However, this technological advancement comes with a significant environmental cost. Training and running AI systems use a lot of energy, which means more carbon emissions. It also drives higher water usage and e-waste. For example, aContinueContinue reading “What Nature Can Teach Us About Greener AI”
Unleash the Inner Inventor This Summer! – Hope, Creative AI Prompting & Biomimicry
What if summer were not just a break, but a launchpad for incredible ideas? Summer! The word itself conjures images of lazy days, sun-drenched beaches, and popsicle-stained fingers. But what if summer were more than just a break? What if it were a launchpad for incredible ideas, a breeding ground for the next generation ofContinueContinue reading “Unleash the Inner Inventor This Summer! – Hope, Creative AI Prompting & Biomimicry”
Tech Meets Nature: Can AI Spark a Love for Science?
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 aContinueContinue reading “Tech Meets Nature: Can AI Spark a Love for Science?”
AI as your Biomimicry Brainstorming Partner
I am a curious person, and I believe it is important to continue to learn new things. So, I have spent part of this weekend learning to prompt AI. I have now completed the course “Use AI as a Creative or Expert Partner”. I will write a series of blog posts about ways to useContinueContinue reading “AI as your Biomimicry Brainstorming Partner”
Nature Meets Urban: Creating Wildlife-Friendly Cities of the Future
Designing future cities requires a fundamental shift in perspective. We must actively integrate the needs of wildlife. Sometimes, curiosity is such a wonderful thing! What started as frustration with finding something interesting for a booklet about woodland animals and climate change ended with an eye-opening insight into ways of including wildlife in urban areas. WhatContinueContinue reading “Nature Meets Urban: Creating Wildlife-Friendly Cities of the Future”
How Can We Help Children Understand the Effects of Climate Change?
Creative and Critical Thinking about Climate Change Our climate is changing, and children worry about how these changes affect their lives. Climate change disproportionately impacts children, who are more vulnerable to its effects than adults due to their developing bodies and minds. Climate change also infringes on children’s rights to food, water, health care andContinueContinue reading “How Can We Help Children Understand the Effects of Climate Change?”
Endangered Pangolins: Save These Scaly Wonders
Pangolins, often called scaly anteaters, are unique mammals in Asia and Africa. They might look like reptiles, with overlapping scales made of keratin, a protein found in human fingernails and hair, but they are mammals and not closely related to anteaters. The scales cover most of their bodies, offering essential protection against predators. Behaviour andContinueContinue reading “Endangered Pangolins: Save These Scaly Wonders”
Magnolia – Dinosaur-Age Flowers and Beetles
Magnolias, beetles, and dinosaurs might seem like random words. While seemingly different, these groups share a fascinating history that reveals insights into ancient ecosystems and evolutionary processes. As Maria Popova beautifully puts it, magnolias are “titans of resilience” — flowering since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, long before bees ever appeared to help them spread theirContinueContinue reading “Magnolia – Dinosaur-Age Flowers and Beetles”
National Poetry Month: A Biomimicry Celebration
April is National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate the power of words and the beauty of language. Many wonderful science poetry books for children are available, such as Water Can Be. . . by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Violeta Dabija. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GZSOZVWuOQ&t=16s This year, let’s explore the intersection of poetry and science, specificallyContinueContinue reading “National Poetry Month: A Biomimicry Celebration”
Biomimicry and Biophilic Design – Stepping into Kindergarten
Below are the text and AI images used to design and explore modern-day Kindergartens. I thoroughly enjoyed challenging myself and learned so much! Children deserve the Best! Thanks to Pernille and Phil, who helped with ideas and the development of this design concept. This is a speculative design concept — an imaginative exploration of whatContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry and Biophilic Design – Stepping into Kindergarten”
Exploring Scary and Creepy Animals – The Goblin Shark
Deep-sea creatures prove that even the “scary and creepy” animals are just as fascinating and full of learning opportunities as the cute and fluffy ones! Yet, few resources exist for children who want to learn about animals like the Goblin Shark. To be honest, I am not sure I would have been the child eagerContinueContinue reading “Exploring Scary and Creepy Animals – The Goblin Shark”
Keystone Species – Savannah Clearers and Gardeners of the Forest
Elephants are fascinating keystone species. They act as ecosystem engineers by modifying, creating, and maintaining habitats in which other species can survive. Elephants play an invaluable role in their ecosystem, influencing animals and plants. In the video below, Gamelihle Sibanda asks questions inspired by elephants. One question is, “How does nature perceive danger before itContinueContinue reading “Keystone Species – Savannah Clearers and Gardeners of the Forest”
The Colorful World of Animals: A Symphony of Signals
How did animals get so colourful? From colour-changing chameleons to bright feathers, multi-coloured faces and bright blue frogs. Animals use colours and patterns to send signals. Colours are used as warning signals and as camouflage. But there is so much we do not know about how animals use colours. Imagine a world where you cannotContinueContinue reading “The Colorful World of Animals: A Symphony of Signals”
Slow Life – Coral Meditation
Slow down and connect with the calming essence of nature through the mesmerizing world of corals. Time-lapses offer a unique window into the hidden life of these fascinating creatures. By compressing time, we witness the slow, steady growth of coral reefs, the intricate dance of marine life, and the fierce competition for survival. These intricateContinueContinue reading “Slow Life – Coral Meditation”
Discover the Flying RAVEN Robot and Empowering Robots for Self-Worth – Video Inspirations
Meet RAVEN, the Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments. It has lightweight bird-like legs and can walk, hop, and jump into flight. Researchers studied bird anatomy to better understand how birds leap from earth to sky. The Purpose Behind RAVEN Understanding the purpose of a robot is vital, and in this case, understanding how aContinueContinue reading “Discover the Flying RAVEN Robot and Empowering Robots for Self-Worth – Video Inspirations”
A Kindergarten Inspired by Biophilic Design and Biomimicry – Outdoor Space
Welcome to the Kindergarten Outdoor Learning Space of the Future! Wildflowers! Garden Patch! Secret Garden! Moss Wall! Risky Play! Climbing Structures! Loose Parts! Cocoons! Water Play! How can we design an outdoor space for young children that encourages curiosity, creativity, play, and learning? This continues an idea we explored in more depth in Biomimicry andContinueContinue reading “A Kindergarten Inspired by Biophilic Design and Biomimicry – Outdoor Space”
Exploring The Wild Robot and the Wonders of Biomimicry
In The Wild Robot, the robot Roz uses biomimicry to adapt to her environment and survive on a remote island. As a regular reader of this blog, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered this captivating book! It also explores another of my favourite topics, development. As a cognitive scientist specialising in child development,ContinueContinue reading “Exploring The Wild Robot and the Wonders of Biomimicry”
Desert Dream – Cacti City Inspired by Saguaros
In the previous blog post, we explored saguaro cacti using the book Opportunities for Everyone: Lessons from Keystone Species with STEAM & Biomimicry Activities. Below are two pages from our Nature & Biomimicry Journal with ideas for a cacti city and sketches of saguaro cacti. The homes in the skyscrapers are inspired by the nestContinueContinue reading “Desert Dream – Cacti City Inspired by Saguaros”
Saguaro Cactus – Nurturing Wildlife and Sparking Creativity
“What would a saguaro cacti-inspired city look like? A city filled with buildings with water-saving devices and cool houses. What ideas do you have for a cacti city that is prepared for heatwaves?” Asa Jomard & The Beezy Teacher Saguaro cacti provide homes to many desert species, such as the Gila Woodpecker. One of theContinueContinue reading “Saguaro Cactus – Nurturing Wildlife and Sparking Creativity”
A Kindergarten Inspired by Biophilic Design and Biomimicry
Welcome to the Kindergarten of the Future! Mushroom lighting! Botanical Solar Tree! Sound-absorbing Paint! Woodflake Skin & Walls! How can we design a space for young children that encourages curiosity, creativity, play, and learning? What attention should designers pay to maximising ecological well-being? This continues an idea we explored in more depth in Biomimicry andContinueContinue reading “A Kindergarten Inspired by Biophilic Design and Biomimicry”
Nature & Biomimicry Journaling for Kids
We are starting the new year by making some journals. The idea is to use these journals when we are spending time outdoors and also with the book Opportunities for Everyone: Lessons from Keystone Species with STEAM & Biomimicry Activities. This book is filled with engaging biomimicry challenges and hands-on activities, making it perfect forContinueContinue reading “Nature & Biomimicry Journaling for Kids”
Books, Books, Books for Nature-Loving Kids
Here are some beautiful books about insects, bugs, Australian animals, ocean animals and exciting nature stories! Enjoy! Insectarium by Dave Goulson Illustrated by Emily Carter “Insects are essential for life as we know it. There are at least one million species of insects, together making up over 80 per cent of all living species onContinueContinue reading “Books, Books, Books for Nature-Loving Kids”
Brilliant Books for Curious Nature Lovers
Celebrate forests through science, art, and wonderful storytelling. Explore amazing animal bodies, dive into the oceans’ depths, and learn how plants and fungi solve some of our biggest problems. Looking for challenges and problems that you can solve? Dive in and help solve the greatest puzzle of all—the balance of our natural world! If youContinueContinue reading “Brilliant Books for Curious Nature Lovers”
The Importance of Storytelling for Biomimicry
I like the idea of viewing nature as a library with exciting stories waiting to be discovered. Christa Avampato describes nature as “a classroom, a library, a pharmacy… a living thriving museum” — a whole world of stories, if we’re willing to look for them. The more I think about teaching biomimicry to young children,ContinueContinue reading “The Importance of Storytelling for Biomimicry”
December in the Nature Classroom
December! Inviting all Cheetah, Monkey, and llama lovers! Why not add some caring for animals and wildlife to all the sparkling and festive activities? Tracking animals in snow A woodland or park coated in snow is one of winter’s most magical images. Take a closer look at the footprints that animals leave as they moveContinueContinue reading “December in the Nature Classroom”
Awesome, Fascinating and Important – Inspired by Keystone Species
Nature needs our help now more than ever. This winter, make space for STEAM and biomimicry activities and create hope for the future. Our book on Keystone Species is now available – Paperback and Hardcover! Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry? Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what weContinueContinue reading “Awesome, Fascinating and Important – Inspired by Keystone Species”
Opportunities for Everyone – Lessons from Keystone Species with STEAM & Biomimicry Activities
Summer 2024 rained away, more or less. But there is often a plus side to everything. So here is a book project that grew with each rainy day! TheBeezyTeacher and I hope you will enjoy reading about 12 keystone species. The book is filled with activities, some STEAM, but also, of course, some biomimicry activities.ContinueContinue reading “Opportunities for Everyone – Lessons from Keystone Species with STEAM & Biomimicry Activities”
Regrowing Limbs
Imagine having materials that could fix and heal themselves. What if bridges could repair their cracks? What if paints could deal with the impact of different sorts of weather and seal up scratches? What would you design? Developing self-healing capabilities is popular and fascinating! If something gets hurt, it can fix and repair itself. ForContinueContinue reading “Regrowing Limbs”
October in the Nature Classroom
Reptiles, Squirrels, Raccoons and Sloths! October is filled with amazing creatures that you can celebrate in your classroom! October is Bat Appreciation Month! Bats have long been shrouded in a veil of mystery and fear, often linked to stories about vampires, blood-suckers, as well as misfortunes and viruses. This negative perception has led many toContinueContinue reading “October in the Nature Classroom”
September in the Nature Classroom
As summer gradually fades, September offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the wonder of the natural world. The vibrant colours of changing leaves, the conkers, and the acorns! The woodlands and parks are like a treasure box – filled with wonderful things you can explore in the classroom or homeschool. I watched an inspiringContinueContinue reading “September in the Nature Classroom”
Architecture Books for Children
Exploring architecture books is a wonderful way to introduce children to design, creativity, and the built environment. Here are some of our favourites. If you are looking for a great book about animal builders, check out this blog post. Text and Images from Amazon. How was that built? by Roma Agrawal Join Roma Agrawal, the award-winningContinueContinue reading “Architecture Books for Children”
Biophilic Design in Learning Spaces
Let’s design a dream classroom that inspires and is healthy! Starting the new term or year in your classroom or homeschool can be even more exciting if you discuss and explore ways to enhance the learning space. What is on the wishlist to make the most of the learning environment? There is a reason whyContinueContinue reading “Biophilic Design in Learning Spaces”
August in the Nature Classroom
Back to School Month! Or maybe we should call it Prepare for Back to School Month. Across the Northern Hemisphere, the timing of school commencement varies, with some starting in August while others begin in September. Back to School symbolises excitement of learning! A fresh start filled with hopes and dreams. As we start onContinueContinue reading “August in the Nature Classroom”
Sea Otters Using Kelp as Anchor
Looking for inspiration for our book about Keystone Species, I stumbled upon this wonderful contribution to the Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge 2021 The students designed a solution to protect people living in flood-prone areas, drawing inspiration from several animals at once. The homes themselves take their teardrop shape from a swordfish’s hydrodynamics, with aContinueContinue reading “Sea Otters Using Kelp as Anchor”
The Night Flower – Saguaro Cactus
The saguaro cactus is a vital source of water in the desert; it functions like a living water barrel. This plant looks like an archetypical cactus with branches dramatically sticking out. Just like animals, plants can play a vital role as ecosystem engineers just like animals. The saguaro cactus is a unique keystone plant providingContinueContinue reading “The Night Flower – Saguaro Cactus”
July in the Nature Classroom
July is here! Feeling the heat in the classroom? Why not engage your kids in a project focusing on innovative ways to cool buildings, drawing inspiration from the remarkable toco toucan’s beak? Don’t Step on a Bee Day – July 10th Love the name of this special day aimed at raising awareness about the importanceContinueContinue reading “July in the Nature Classroom”
Star-Nosed Mole Biomimicry – MOLisha’s Plastic Detector
The star-nosed mole can smell underwater using air bubbles.Can you invent something amazing and useful using this as inspiration? Moles are small mammals with velvety fur and small eyes. They are adapted to a subterranean lifestyle and are famous for their short, powerful arms and large paws adapted for tunnelling. Although gardeners do not alwaysContinueContinue reading “Star-Nosed Mole Biomimicry – MOLisha’s Plastic Detector”
Care for Our Coral Reefs
Happy World Ocean Month! You can download this poster for free and use it in your classroom to inspire Awe and Care. poster-coral-1Download 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 meansContinueContinue reading “Care for Our Coral Reefs”
Masterbuilders: Exploring the Art of Bird Nest Construction
Weaverbirds master every loop as they create stunning nests using just their beaks from fresh grass. Weaverbirds, or Poceidae, are small birds famous for their amazing nest-building skills. The birds design and build intricate nests using fine leaf fibres, grass, and twigs. They start with a simple knot and weave the most intricate nest. WhileContinueContinue reading “Masterbuilders: Exploring the Art of Bird Nest Construction”
June in the Nature Classroom
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. ItContinueContinue reading “June in the Nature Classroom”
Fantastic Camel Adaptations to Cold Ice and Hot Sand
Camels used to live in the Arctic! The famous desert animals used to walk around on the ice and snow! Camels have a fascinating history that extends beyond the deserts we commonly associate them with. Contrary to popular belief, camels did not originate in the desert but in the Canadian Arctic – around 3.5 millionContinueContinue reading “Fantastic Camel Adaptations to Cold Ice and Hot Sand”
Coral Art Projects
The vibrant colours, fascinating shapes and abundant life of a coral reef create a unique habitat that no other Earth habitat can rival. Capturing this kaleidoscope of colours is a remarkable and engaging activity! Here are some awesome art projects that can inspire your child’s creativity. Art is a powerful tool to send a strongContinueContinue reading “Coral Art Projects”
May in the Nature Classroom
Save the Rhino Day – May 1st Save the Rhino Day, celebrated globally on May 1, highlights ways to help this fantastic ecosystem engineer. There has been a sharp increase in poaching activity and illegal trade of rhino horns. Today, many subspecies of rhinos have been declared extinct, and the entire rhino population is listedContinueContinue reading “May in the Nature Classroom”
Coral Reef Ecosystem Engineers
Coral reefs provide a beautiful, as well as crucial, ecosystem for life underwater. Coral reefs act as ecosystem engineers, shaping their surroundings and influencing the entire ecosystem. If an ecosystem engineer disappears, the whole ecosystem may collapse. Coral reefs grow extremely slowly; consequently, it is vital to care for and protect these areas. It isContinueContinue reading “Coral Reef Ecosystem Engineers”
Earth Day 2024!
The plastic crisis facing our Earth is enormous, yet biomimicry design offers a hope-driven approach to problems. Earth provides us with stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. Take some time this Earth Day to breathe in our planet’s beauty and ponder the delicate balance between enough despair to move us to action and hope for aContinueContinue reading “Earth Day 2024!”
Fantastic Coral Reef Books for Kids
Coral reefs! I will never forget my first encounter with one of the world’s natural wonders. It had been a rough boat trip, but nothing could spoil this joyous moment. The Great Barrier Reef was a magical place brimming with beauty and life even on a cloudy and grey day. Sadly, coral bleaching worldwide isContinueContinue reading “Fantastic Coral Reef Books for Kids”
Creative Activities to Explore Native Australian & New Zealand Wildlife
Below are links to resources I have created inspired by New Zealand and Australia’s unique and wonderful wildlife. Learn about Australia’s unique and endemic wildlife, from iconic koalas to spiny, ant-eating echidnas and the duck-billed egglaying platypus. The focus is on learning about the life cycle and using the remarkable animals as inspiration for creativeContinueContinue reading “Creative Activities to Explore Native Australian & New Zealand Wildlife”
The Role of Glowing Corals in Reefs Conservation: Unveiling the Role of Underwater Gardens
A glowing fluorescent coral reef might initially sound like something beautiful, yet it is a sign of a last desperate move by corals to survive. Coral reefs are magnificent and magical underwater gardens. They are the underwater equivalent of the Amazon Rainforest, supporting a huge variety of animals. Coral reefs are made of tiny animalsContinueContinue reading “The Role of Glowing Corals in Reefs Conservation: Unveiling the Role of Underwater Gardens”
Home by Isabelle Simler
“The octopus makes its home in a beautiful stony villa, the bowerbird decorates his incredible blue pavilion. Come on a journey into the world of talented homemakers. Explore inside their dream homes and imagine life through the eyes of European penduline tits, the common octopus and the alpine marmot. “Home” by French illustrator and authorContinueContinue reading “Home by Isabelle Simler”
The World’s Plastic Pollution Crises in Our Oceans
Earth Day is celebrated globally on April 22nd. In 2024, the theme is Planet vs. Plastic, and the aim is to shift our attitudes and actions concerning plastic usage. Reducing plastic pollution is vital since it is becoming clearer the devasting impact that plastic pollution has on human and animal health and the overall ecologicalContinueContinue reading “The World’s Plastic Pollution Crises in Our Oceans”
Animals Making Tools – The Fascinating Case of the Coconut Octopus
A walking octopus with a coconut shell on its head looks very stylish! The name Coconut Octopus sparks lots of ideas. Images of a giant octopus living on a tropical island swimming around among floating coconut shells might flash through your mind. Although this is not true, the truth is still mind-boggling and fascinating. WhileContinueContinue reading “Animals Making Tools – The Fascinating Case of the Coconut Octopus”
Giraffologist!
Say the word “Giraffologist” slowly and imagine what it would be like to spend your days studying these gentle giants with long necks and big hearts. The book Anne And Her Tower Of Giraffes: The Adventurous Life of the First Giraffologist, by Karlin Gray and illustrated by Aparna Varma, explores the life of the world’sContinueContinue reading “Giraffologist!”
April in the Nature Classroom
“Nature is one of the first sparks to light the flame of wonder in a child, and indeed is the spark that can allow someone who has lost a sense of wonder to recover.” Catherine L’Ecuyer Spring has finally arrived, so here are a few wildlife signs of spring to look out for this season:ContinueContinue reading “April in the Nature Classroom”
Unveiling the Secrets: How the Smell of Coral Reefs Reveals Insights into Heat Stress?
Have you ever wondered what the smell of a coral reef can tell us about its well-being under heat stress? Do vibrant and healthy coral reefs emit a scent? If they do, what does it smell like? Biomimicry usually starts with our eyes — we notice a shape, a texture, a colour pattern, and askContinueContinue reading “Unveiling the Secrets: How the Smell of Coral Reefs Reveals Insights into Heat Stress?”
Awesome Nature Books for Curious Kids
From a lovely story about nature’s greatest escape artist – the smart octopus to antifreeze fish and shimmering lagoons in the Okavango Delta to Rewilding stories at Bedtime, here is our favourite list for Spring reading. Let’s Save the Okavango Delta: Why we must protect our planet by Catherine Barr & Jean Claude Big topicsContinueContinue reading “Awesome Nature Books for Curious Kids”
What is Great about Antifreeze Arctic Bumblebees?
Inspired by the arctic bumblebee, we made a poster with a drawing. We added interesting things about the bumblebee. We used this video as inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vm7T4M7t-Q 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 fromContinueContinue reading “What is Great about Antifreeze Arctic Bumblebees?”
Can You Spot Seahorses?
Pygmy seahorses are a special species of seahorse – they range in size from 13 to 27 mm between the tip of the tail to the end of the snout. They have adapted for their small size, and they are notorious for their clever camouflage. Pygmy seahorses live in coral reefs. It was only ratherContinueContinue reading “Can You Spot Seahorses?”
Sea Otters Babies’ Swimming Lessons
Swimming Lessons for Sea Otter Babies! The sea otter can live its entire life without leaving the water, but its babies cannot swim when they are born. So the baby has to learn to swim, and the learning starts shortly after birth when the mother otter introduces the pup to the water. From the beginning,ContinueContinue reading “Sea Otters Babies’ Swimming Lessons”
How Have the Arctic Bees Adapted to a Cold Climate? What happens when the Climate Changes?
How can a bumblebee survive in the cold Arctic Summer? Bombus polaris and Bombus pyrrhopygus, known as the Arctic bumblebees, live in northern Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, and the US state of Alaska. These are cold places, and surviving in them requires a greater effort to regulate their temperature. This insect might be a small animal,ContinueContinue reading “How Have the Arctic Bees Adapted to a Cold Climate? What happens when the Climate Changes?”