Interested in using Biomimicry but unsure how to use nature as inpiration? Here is a FREE guide to Biomimicry. You can also purchase the book Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva: Nature spotting inspires wild ideas. “Join Theo and Tuva on their nature walks and be inspired by their observations using a biomimicry lens of theContinueContinue reading “How everyone can be inspired by how nature solves problems”
Tag Archives: Biomimicry
Managing Heat – Inspiration from Nature
This summer might have been cold, wet and windy where I live, but the summer has been marked as another year with record-breaking heat across the globe, from China to North Africa and North America to parts of Europe. July was the hottest month on record since 1880; see NASA. Thus, the need for waysContinueContinue reading “Managing Heat – Inspiration from Nature”
Think, think, think nature!
A short video that encourages and inspires you to think nature! Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IMUew8SaZ8 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 aContinueContinue reading “Think, think, think nature!”
Climate Change – What would Nature do?
Climate change is upsetting the balance – the balance in nature. When systems that have run smoothly on Earth for hundreds and even thousands of years face an imbalance, nature deals with the challenges. Sometimes, nature uses mutations, and sometimes, nature adapts to the changes. Animals and plants are ‘shapeshifting’ worldwide; their limbs, beaks, andContinueContinue reading “Climate Change – What would Nature do?”
Green Growing Robot Project
Kids deserve resources that challenge them to explore new ideas. Here, the newest ideas in robotics have inspired the making of a booklet for kids. Creating a robot that grows like a plant is indeed mind-boggling, but I believe kids have original ideas and can indeed change the world. Ideas come from looking around andContinueContinue reading “Green Growing Robot Project”
Anglerfish Project
Do your kids love animals that look a bit scary? Meet the creepy-looking deep-sea anglerfish with built-in nightlights as well as an invisibility cloak. Anglerfish like to live at dark and chilly depths – around 500 m to 5 000 meters below sea level. Our knowledge about the deep sea is still very limited. ThisContinueContinue reading “Anglerfish Project”
Brilliant Nature Books for Curious Kids
From stories about birds to creatures who inspire our homes, here’s our list of favourite children’s reading this summer. The Bowerbird by Julia Donaldson & Catherine Rayner Found an empty nest on your nature walk? Or spotted some fledglings? Birds are great inspirations for young biomimicrists. Birds build all sorts of interesting nests. The bowerbirdsContinueContinue reading “Brilliant Nature Books for Curious Kids”
Unique & Remarkable – Shoebills
Sometimes you need something remarkable to capture kids’ interest, especially towards the end of the school year. Few kids can help but be fascinated by the goofy-looking shoebill. Shoebills are a unique, prehistoric-looking tall bird with a large beak resembling a Dutch clog. The beak is perfect for catching and carrying large fish. Shoebills makeContinueContinue reading “Unique & Remarkable – Shoebills”
What is a River? By Monika Vaicenavičiené
The book “What is a River?” by Lithuanian illustrator and storyteller Monika Vaicenavičienė is a beautiful prose poem about the things a river is and can be. It is also part encyclopedia, and curious young biomimicrists will find lots of things to ponder over. Facts about famous rivers and the animals and people who liveContinueContinue reading “What is a River? By Monika Vaicenavičiené”
Chameleons – Biological Strategies
The colour-changing ability of chameleons is fascinating! These remarkable creatures are perfect for introducing biological strategies to young children. Exploring how they change colour at will is something that will capture kids’ imagination. Yet, the colour changing is only the start. Chameleons’ tongues can be twice as long as their bodies. The tongue can extendContinueContinue reading “Chameleons – Biological Strategies”
Biomimicry Design Projects for Homeschool Students
Biomimicry Projects for Homeschool Students As homeschoolers, we have enormous advantages when bringing nature into the homeschool room. Introducing biomimicry into your home is a great opportunity to remove the magnifying glasses and binoculars and also the art supplies—a wonderful opportunity to mix science and art. A biomimicry lens allows your kids to engage withContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Design Projects for Homeschool Students”
Biomimicry Design Inspired by Tree Observations on a Frosty Morning
I love frosty mornings when everything is covered with sugary ice. The garden reminds me of Sleeping Beauty. The world has gone into a long, much-needed rest to breathe and gather strength. But there is actually plenty of life, beauty and wonder even on a frosty, cold winter morning. The core of biomimicry is toContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Design Inspired by Tree Observations on a Frosty Morning”
Mermaid Purses
Beachcombing along the shoreline is exciting. You never know what you might find. If you are lucky enough, you might find a real treasure – a mermaid’s purse hiding among the seaweed. It is a bit mind-boggling to imagine that a shark or skate might have emerged from the egg case. The little pouches areContinueContinue reading “Mermaid Purses”
Glowing Platypus – Biomimicry Journal
Platypuses are remarkable creatures with beaks that lay eggs. They are not classed as birds; they are known as monotremes—mammals that lay eggs. They are also biofluorescent animals, which is different from bioluminescence, where the animal produces the light or hosts other organisms that shine. Various plants, fungi, flowers, insects, and fruits glow green orContinueContinue reading “Glowing Platypus – Biomimicry Journal”
Echidna’s clever way to stay cool – Snot Bubbles
Exciting news about this remarkable monotreme mammal. Echidnas use their own mucus to stay cool. Echidnas cannot sweat, pant, or lick to keep their bodies cool. But they have an impressive tolerance to heat. Now, scientists have discovered how they do it. Echidnas stay cool by blowing mucus bubbles through their snout. The bubbles burstContinueContinue reading “Echidna’s clever way to stay cool – Snot Bubbles”
Echidna Super Cool Snout
Echidnas are super cool! This spiky mammal lays eggs. There are five monotremes – four of them are echidnas, and the other mammal is the fascinating platypus. Echidnas have hard, flat eyes, and the claws on their hind limbs curve backwards to help them dig burrows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YB6mVWadKQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2XfF1hWICc&t=50s Yet, their snout, sometimes called a beak,ContinueContinue reading “Echidna Super Cool Snout”
Green Robots to Explore the Oceans and the Moon! – Design Inspired by Plants
Growing robots may help us explore unknown places like the Moon. Plants use growth to move and explore and even take over the environment. In contrast, animals do not grow to be able to move. Inspired by plants, we can design search applications where we do not know what the environment looks like beforehand. WhatContinueContinue reading “Green Robots to Explore the Oceans and the Moon! – Design Inspired by Plants”
Growing Robots!
Jumping kangaroo-inspired robots, soft, flexible robots inspired by the elephant’s trunk. What next? I have been fascinated by the idea of using animals as inspiration for robots. Yet, to push the way we design robots even further, we might need to look at the world of plants. Plants as the inspiration, you might think. PlantsContinueContinue reading “Growing Robots!”
Mushroom Leather Shoes for Kids – Inspired by Nature
Squirrels love munching on mushrooms and even poisonous ones. You can see them nibbling on the bright red toadstool, and for some reason I always thought that the squirrels had stopped eating them and left a bit of a mess on the lawn. But squirrels can eat fungi that are poisonous to us humans. SoContinueContinue reading “Mushroom Leather Shoes for Kids – Inspired by Nature”
How does an animal see colours? Inspired by An Immense World
I love the new book by Ed Young – An Immense World. A mind-blowing journey into how other animals experience our world. This book pushes you to the limit to understand our world. It challenges you to see the world through the eyes of other animals. Changing your perspective when it comes to other people’sContinueContinue reading “How does an animal see colours? Inspired by An Immense World”
Summer Reading for Young Curious Nature Lovers
Is there anything better than reading a book and listening to the buzzing bees? At last, summer has arrived, and you can sit under a tree in the shade, enjoying the endless questions that some books spark. The not bad animals brilliant explores how some animals have been misunderstood. Like the spiders, who really areContinueContinue reading “Summer Reading for Young Curious Nature Lovers”
Symmetry in Nature
Ingenious designs! Nature is bursting with patterns, and the diversity is fantastic — from leopards’ spots that merge into rosette markings as cubs grow, to shells and bumblebees with their black and yellow stripes. Symmetry is one of nature’s most common patterns, and it’s a great entry point into biomimicry — noticing how a shapeContinueContinue reading “Symmetry in Nature”
Inspirational Books for Young Biomimicry Enthusiasts
At the moment we are enjoying these two books. Check them out! The Animal BFFs is written by Sophie Corrigan. Here you can read about different types of Friendships among animals: mutualism commensalism and parasitism. The natural world is filled with strange and unlikely friendships. Odd couples that highlight the idea that sometimes it’s betterContinueContinue reading “Inspirational Books for Young Biomimicry Enthusiasts”
Sundance School – Biomimicry Inspired by Sunflowers
Sunflowers have many superpowers. What if children could learn and grow in a Sundance School – a school inspired by this remarkable plant? When you are designing a building using sunflowers as inspiration, you can use: Visual inspiration—your design looks like a sunflower plant. Use a principle found in nature; for example, the sunflower movesContinueContinue reading “Sundance School – Biomimicry Inspired by Sunflowers”
Sunflowers – Strength, Peace & Biomimicry Inspiration
Strive for Peace! Build and Nurture a Better world by reaching for the Sun, filled with super Sunflower Power! Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine. These proud flowers have throughout history been associated with power, strength, warmth and positivity. The strong resemblance to our Sun often puts a smile on our faces. In theContinueContinue reading “Sunflowers – Strength, Peace & Biomimicry Inspiration”
Why do we need Biodiversity?
“Is this the biggest tree in the park. . . the forest. . . or the whole world? We may hear kids being impressed by trees, plants and animals, and that is great. But we can also support kids to notice and be impressed by the variety of different types of trees, plants, and animalsContinueContinue reading “Why do we need Biodiversity?”
Dolphin Sleep Pattern and Other Interesting Things
Sleeping like a dolphin has its advantages! Would it not be wonderful to rest one of your brain hemispheres at a time and to sleep with one eye open? Dolphins are fascinating, and their sleep pattern is a great example of biomimicry in the making — a strategy nature perfected long before humans needed itContinueContinue reading “Dolphin Sleep Pattern and Other Interesting Things”
Brilliant inspirational nature books för curious kids
The best inspiration, apart from spending time in nature, is picture books. I am passionate about all sorts of books, and children’s books are no different. Wonderful pictures, exciting stories, and silly rhymes are the best way to get ideas. The best picture books contain plenty of opportunities for learning, yet it does not feelContinueContinue reading “Brilliant inspirational nature books för curious kids”
Biomimicry Educator – Inspiring Students
A new school term and perhaps time to introduce Biomimicry to your students! “Biomimicry builds off of a child’s natural curiosity, and it allows students to discover how things (evolved into) its current state. It allows students to see the differences and similarities in nature. It allows learners to become heroes of their own learning…ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Educator – Inspiring Students”
Introducing Biomimicry Life’s Principles for Young Students
Nature works by relying on some deep patterns, and Life’s Principles are design lessons from nature. It is a framework that can help us when we are exploring nature. This is done by focusing on one of the six principles at a time. People who work with creating nature-inspired solutions are familiar with these principlesContinueContinue reading “Introducing Biomimicry Life’s Principles for Young Students”
BioThinkDive about Ice-Cream, Beaches, and Travelling
Spring has arrived, with bats, butterflies, and nest-building! Weekends and school holidays are spent at the beach. Ice cream, sunhats, and sandcastles are part of a visit to the beach. But can a visit to the beach involve biomimicry? Biomimicry is the conscious observation of the natural world. The observations can be used to solveContinueContinue reading “BioThinkDive about Ice-Cream, Beaches, and Travelling”
Why is Biodiversity important for Biomimicry
From fungi to flamingos, plants to animals – the variety of life on our planet is wonderful. Biodiversity is the name we give to the variety of all life on Earth. The term is complex to grasp, but it is this complexity that makes our planet the perfect place for us humans as well asContinueContinue reading “Why is Biodiversity important for Biomimicry”
Biomimicry Invention Game – Intriguing Insects
Some projects take forever, but now the Insect Biomimicry Board Game is finished! It is similar to the Mammal and Australian Board Game, and the idea is to encourage children to play a non-competitive game where the focus is on exploring insects and wild, exciting ideas. Photo By Quit007 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Invention Game – Intriguing Insects”
Inspirational video – Pitcher plants inspire super-slippery materials
Would it not be nice to stop scrubbing every day? How do you keep surfaces clean without using lots of water and chemicals? And how do you save time cleaning your house so that you can enjoy reading books? Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants that have leaves that have been modified to trap prey. TheContinueContinue reading “Inspirational video – Pitcher plants inspire super-slippery materials”
Does it work? Biomimicry in Education
Happy New Year! A New Year’s Day tradition is to watch Vienna Philharmonic Concert. At this year’s concert the guest conductor Riccardo Muti talks about joy, hope, peace, brotherhood, and “Love” with capital “L,”. The world needs to consider culture as one of the primary pre-measure elements to help build a better society in theContinueContinue reading “Does it work? Biomimicry in Education”
Inspiration from a Snowy Owl
The pretty cool snow owl is famous for being a bit magical. Harry Potter’s pet owl Hedwig, proved over and over again that she was a bit better than the rest of the owls at the wizarding school. Palaeolithic paintings in the Chauvet cave in France depict owls alongside prehistoric lions and horses, so weContinueContinue reading “Inspiration from a Snowy Owl”
The Most Mesmerising Books for Nature-Loving Children
Here is some books about nature that caught our eyes. Books to be cherished for years and enjoyed by the whole family. Books filled with prehistoric pets, strange-looking animals and plants, lovely poems as well as mesmering spells. Perfect Christmas gifts! From the inspired pairing behind the award-winning The Lost Words comes a luminous hymn toContinueContinue reading “The Most Mesmerising Books for Nature-Loving Children”
Penguin Superpowers – Brillant Ways to Survive
Penguins, like all animals and plants, have developed brilliant ways to survive. Penguins can be found in cold as well as warm climates. They deal with the climate challenges in different ways; penguin chicks in Antarctica learn to skate on the ice, whereas Galápagos penguin chicks are masters of sliding on rocks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQquEh6zQ5c&feature=emb_logo https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=99&v=qbtIUK_F-I0&feature=emb_logo ChangesContinueContinue reading “Penguin Superpowers – Brillant Ways to Survive”
New Challenges, New Adventures
The dream was to write a series of books about Theo & Tuva, and now the outline for the second book is taking shape. 2020 has been a year filled with challenges; new challenges, but also old familiar problems have been lurking in the background. Greta Thunberg and young climate activists have not given up,ContinueContinue reading “New Challenges, New Adventures”
Beachcombing – Bladderwrack!
Ahh, at last the smell of sea! Spent some lovely days last week beachcombing. Lots of shells, most of them tiny, glittering in the sand on the tidal shore. Also, lots of seaweed that looked like bubble wrap with its distinctive air bubbles. The air sacs are known as air bladders, which give the algaeContinueContinue reading “Beachcombing – Bladderwrack!”
Biomimicry Ballet
Meet the photographer of the book Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva”- Ann-Margrethe. Here she is practising “Biomimicry Ballet”. A wonderfully healthy way to experience nature while pondering over ideas inspired by nature. That children who understand nature are better at taking care of it is perhaps not so strange. Some children lack experience of nature,ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Ballet”
Under a Log!
“I notice, I wonder, It reminds me of…” A cold but sunny September morning. The first day of Autumn, at least in meteorological terms, but the changes in the natural world such as the fantastic colourful autumn leaves display may still wait. A perfect time to study unique microhabitats where you live – under bushes,ContinueContinue reading “Under a Log!”
Inspiring Endangered Birds – Biomimicry and Biodiversity
Why is biodiversity important? How to increase biodiversity using BIOMIMICRY? In the film The Birds produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the focus is on a series of sudden and unexplained violent bird attacks on the people of Bodega Bay, California. A classic horror film; however, the true horror is perhaps a world without birds.ContinueContinue reading “Inspiring Endangered Birds – Biomimicry and Biodiversity”
Summer Reading – Books for Curious Minds
Hurry out to the sun with a pile of books. Or cuddle up on the sofa while you watch raindrops sliding down the window panes at the same time as you flick through pages filled with exquisite and colourful fungi, animals and plants. Some books about nature that caught our eyes. Perfect books for lazyContinueContinue reading “Summer Reading – Books for Curious Minds”
Inspiration for Biomimicry Story – Pink Fairy Armadillo
Pink fairy armadillo! The smallest of the armadillo family is a fascinating species that, like so many animals on our planet, is endangered. The animal is nicknamed sand digger, and according to stories, it can”burrow through the ground as fast as a fish can swim in the sea”. It might be difficult to believe thatContinueContinue reading “Inspiration for Biomimicry Story – Pink Fairy Armadillo”
Invent the Room – Sustainability & Biomimicry
I have spent sunny days in the garden reading the excellent Engineering Education for the Next Generation by Samuel Cord Stier, who is the executive director of The Center for Learning with Nature. This book, together with wild gardening books, Wild Your Garden and Wildlife Gardening, provided the basis for the ideas about bringing sustainabilityContinueContinue reading “Invent the Room – Sustainability & Biomimicry”
Utopian Glimmer – Covid-19
On Monday, 1st June, some pupils in the UK will return to school after the lockdown due to coronavirus. Lots of thoughts and worries, but listening to Janine Benyus talk about the “great pause” as she calls the lockdown, offers a vision of utopian glimmer in the darkness. The lockdown due to the coronavirus hasContinueContinue reading “Utopian Glimmer – Covid-19”
Llamas, Biomimicry and Viruses
Will the llamas become heroes in the fight against COVID-19? Llamas are gorgeous-looking animals that have captured many hearts with their soulful big eyes, funny haircut and velvety snout. The fluffy gentle giants have also attracted the attention of scientists studying antibodies. The remarkable antibodies of camelids, llamas, camels and alpacas, have been studied sinceContinueContinue reading “Llamas, Biomimicry and Viruses”
Fluttering Beauties – Biomimicry & Butterflies
I love to mix art and science! Biomimicry is a great opportunity to take out art supplies. Spring is the perfect time to study butterflies. With their colourful wings and gentle fluttering, it is easy to understand why they are such a welcome sign of Spring. The arrival of butterflies is also an important measureContinueContinue reading “Fluttering Beauties – Biomimicry & Butterflies”
Caterpillar – Google Classroom
A new resource for Google Classroom. I hope you like it and that it will help to create many memorable experiences in your classroom. Perfect for homeschooling and distance learning! You find it here. Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry? Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learnContinueContinue reading “Caterpillar – Google Classroom”
A Memorable Experience
Biomimicry education should be a memorable experience! Several different approaches can be used to inspire children to explore nature and to feel excited about solving problems or inventing things. You can read books such as “How an Idea from Nature Changed Our World” by Dorna Schroeter and explore how biomimicry can be used to solveContinueContinue reading “A Memorable Experience”
Project-based learning perfect for homeschooling
Small, colourful and spectacular! Hummingbirds are beautiful and strong. They provide the perfect inspiration for great ideas! A wonderful way to keep schoolchildren happy and engaged at home, as well as ensuring that they are continuing their learning, is to start a project. Project-based learning is an engaging way to spark an interest in aContinueContinue reading “Project-based learning perfect for homeschooling”
Inspirational Video – Ferrets
What everyday problem could a body like a ferret solve? Love all the wonderful ideas that pop up while you watch this video of a ferret in slow motion. Like magic the ferret lowers and stretches itself out, making its body 30% longer. This helps they when they are running through small tunnels. Amazingly theyContinueContinue reading “Inspirational Video – Ferrets”
For Google Classroom – Biomimicry, Manatees & Dugongs
When I started making Biomimicry resources I had a vision of what I wanted them to look like. Google Classroom has made it possible to get a bit closer. Still, some ideas that I would like to include. Things can always be improved. Edward de Bono said, “Good But Not Enough”! Mantees and dugongs makeContinueContinue reading “For Google Classroom – Biomimicry, Manatees & Dugongs”
Board Game
Made another board game! Similar to the one with mammals, but this time the theme is Australia. Games are an educational tool that is underestimated. They are engaging and fun. Nevertheless, I like the idea of games that, at their core, are non-competitive. And this Biomimicry Invention Board Game is more about ideas and exploringContinueContinue reading “Board Game”
Biomimicry, Bushfires and Wombats
Wombats are one of Australia’s most loved marsupials, but they are often misunderstood. In children’s books they are described as slow and clumsy, yet, they can actually run faster than a human or dog over a short distance. Muddle-headed wombats! No, they are quick to learn and they have adapted to their life underground. However,ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry, Bushfires and Wombats”
Bushfires and Biomimicry
A dangerous summer is unfolding in Australia, and so far millions, even billions, of animals have lost their lives in raging bushfires. Bushfires are common in Australia so animals and plants have developed various ways to survive and reproduce. This year, the bushfires are not normal; hundreds of fires are burning, and the links toContinueContinue reading “Bushfires and Biomimicry”
How to foster students’ love of learning, creative thinking and desires to improve the world
Bring nature and curiosity into your classroom! Learning is more fun and memorable when you are encouraged to ask questions and solve engaging problems. By inspiring your students to explore biomimicry, you allow them to be amazed by the natural world. Biomimicry offers an opportunity to explore strategies, look for natural patterns, and mimic themContinueContinue reading “How to foster students’ love of learning, creative thinking and desires to improve the world”
Seven Worlds, One Planet – Inspirational videos
Funny, beautiful, excting, sad and heartbreaking. The BBC’ s Seven Worlds One Planet has it all! A celebration of the diversity of life on each of the seven continents nearth, but also a hunting look into the challenges faced by animals in a modern world. Narrated by David Attenborough this is a real treat. AndContinueContinue reading “Seven Worlds, One Planet – Inspirational videos”
Nature, Invention, Biomimicry Books & Games
Books make a wonderful gift! Books are one of my biggest weaknesses. I love thin books, thick books, adult books, children’s books, picture books and books with nothing but words! Here is a list of books that inspire us to look at nature. The books may challenge us to invent things, solve problems, dream andContinueContinue reading “Nature, Invention, Biomimicry Books & Games”
Inspirational Autumnlicious & Spooktacular Videos – Spiders, Bats, & Owls
Flying bats, owls and even spiders. Be amazed and feel inspired by these wonderful creatures, and use them as inspiration for wonderful, imaginative Halloween creations. Move away from the plastic toys and costumes, and celebrate the wonder of nature this Halloween. If you search for spiders, bats and owls in the search box, there areContinueContinue reading “Inspirational Autumnlicious & Spooktacular Videos – Spiders, Bats, & Owls”
Moss Green Shades & Mimic Stick Insect
“A world that shimmers in different moss green shades can be as beautiful as a colourful coral reef.” Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva: Nature spotting inspires wild ideas Theo & Tuva are exploring nature in the warm spring sun, on warm summer days when the rain is pouring down, when the snow sparkles and onContinueContinue reading “Moss Green Shades & Mimic Stick Insect”
Review of the book “Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva: Nature Spotting Inspires Wild Ideas” by Asa Jomard
I would like to thank Natursidan.se and Erik for the review of my book. Go here to read the review. I hope this inspires you to have a look at the book. So far, I have sold a couple of copies in the US and Japan! And the Swedish version is doing well! Frequently AskedContinueContinue reading “Review of the book “Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva: Nature Spotting Inspires Wild Ideas” by Asa Jomard”
Bats! Bats! Bats!
Big fruit bats, vampire bats with razor-sharp teeth, and the cutest fluffy white bat with yellow ears and an interesting leaf-shaped nose. In the latest biomimicry booklet, I slipped into medical applications inspired by nature by accident. And it was the Honduran white bat that sparked the initial idea. The Honduran white bat can storeContinueContinue reading “Bats! Bats! Bats!”
Fantastic Fungi -Inspirational Video
Autumn and Mushroom! Learn more about the magic underneath your feet. This is the trailer for the stunningly beautiful movie by Louie Schwartzberg and Paul Stamets. You can read more about their work here. You may also like Inspired by Fungi and Creepy Smelly Burglar Alarm. https://youtu.be/bxABOiay6oA Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry? Biomimicry isContinueContinue reading “Fantastic Fungi -Inspirational Video”
What do you do with a tail like this?
Invent a gliding suit or a robot inspired by sugar gliders. Or a new sport inspired by short tails. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins is a striking book with intriguing facts. Explore amazing things that animals can do with their ears, eyes, noses, mouths, feet and tails! TheContinueContinue reading “What do you do with a tail like this?”
Ready to let your ideas fly?
Thrilled to announce that the printed version is here! Ann-Margrethe, Cecilia and I hope you like it. You find it 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 howContinueContinue reading “Ready to let your ideas fly?”
A sad tree
“We need more talkative trees.” Fairy tales have trees with human faces, trees that can talk and whisper, and sometimes even walk or fly. Yet, trees are, despite all their brilliant features, easy to ignore. They grow slowly, really slowly, and even if deciduous trees shed their leaves and burst with new leaves each spring,ContinueContinue reading “A sad tree”
A sharp idea – Biomimicry
The forest is home for thousands of species, big animals like bears, and deer, and smaller animals like hedgehogs, porcupines and rabbits. Thousands of ways to explore possibilities and be inspired. Porcupine Quills to Needles (21st Century Junior Library: Tech from Nature) by Jennifer Colby is a book in a series that aims towards providingContinueContinue reading “A sharp idea – Biomimicry”
A summer filled with the sound of squirrels! – Sound Mapping
Sound is important when you are birding or bat spotting, but we can learn a lot about nature from closing our eyes and focusing on distinguishing signals. Our garden has this summer been bursting with the sounds of squirrels playing the trees. If we focused, we could hear them jumping from one branch to theContinueContinue reading “A summer filled with the sound of squirrels! – Sound Mapping”
Breathe in nature, be inspired, solve problems, dream, build!
Biomimicry stimulates the imagination and inspires children to see nature as a place that offers both adventure and play, as well as a chance to discover the secrets of nature. Biomimicry is a way to explore the functions that animals and plants perform both themselves and in their ecosystems. This approach is a creative wayContinueContinue reading “Breathe in nature, be inspired, solve problems, dream, build!”
Board Games for a Curious Biomimicrist
This post contains ad links. Summer and Board Games! Evolution Board Game, Climate Board Game and Evolution: The Beginner Board Game are great games for children who love nature. The first two games are suitable for slightly older children. The games come from North Star Games, and they have quickly become very popular games. TheContinueContinue reading “Board Games for a Curious Biomimicrist”
Puffilicious Rubbish Picker Litter Stick
The idea appeared yesterday when we were walking our dog. So many interesting ideas appear when you are walking. Walking improves creativty, according to a Stanford study. Stuck at home, staring at the walls, ideas seem hard to hatch. We have been thinking about the puffins, but every idea seemed . . . boring .ContinueContinue reading “Puffilicious Rubbish Picker Litter Stick”
The City of the Birches – Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva
Our book “Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva: Nature spotting inspires wild ideas” is almost ready! Here is our backcover with a pale yellow-green birch. And beautiful birch heart! The birch has a little special meaning for all of us because Umeå is the city of the birches. Ann-Margrethe and I studied at university there togetherContinueContinue reading “The City of the Birches – Biomimicry with Theo & Tuva”
Puffin Beaks Glow under UV light! Biomimicry Journal
Have you ever seen a puffin in the wild? One of the great things about biomimicry is that there is interesting information and great videos on the Internet and in the library. So, if you, like me, have never had the pleasure of seeing a puffin in the wild, you can still study this beautifulContinueContinue reading “Puffin Beaks Glow under UV light! Biomimicry Journal”
Puffins – Clownlike inspiration
Puffins have been in the news this week. Sadly, climate change might be the reason behind the crested or tufted puffins decline in numbers in the Bering Sea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIDTMo5zCSM Although, I have previously used endangered animals as inspiration for ideas, when I selected puffins a couple of weeks ago for a new booklet that IContinueContinue reading “Puffins – Clownlike inspiration”
Theo & Tuva: Nature Spotting and Wild Ideas
Excited to share a picture from the book. Here, the twins, Theo and Tuva, are pondering over the intricate ways that ladybirds fold their wings. Go here or here to read more about ladybirds! Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry? Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learnContinueContinue reading “Theo & Tuva: Nature Spotting and Wild Ideas”
Biomimicry Invention Game
This is an idea that I got a long, long time ago. Finally decided to make a start, and I made a booklet with an invention board game with a focus on six fantastic and inspiring animals: giraffe, dolphin, zebra, giant panda, meerkat and cheetah. When using biomimicry with young children, it is often easierContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Invention Game”
Celebrate Spring – Turn Blue for a Couple of Days
The wonderous world of frogs is a treasure trove of inspiration. There is something utterly magical about the idea of changing skin texture or colour. Just look at the Moor Frogs (Rana arvalis) who turn blue in spring. Well, at least the males turn bright blue. They are usually reddish-brown like many other frogs. BlueContinueContinue reading “Celebrate Spring – Turn Blue for a Couple of Days”
Wild Buildings and Bridges
Nature and architecture are perfect partners! Are you planning a biomimicry challenge? The book Wild Buildings and Bridges: Architecture Inspired by Nature by Etta Kaner is a great introduction to using nature as inspiration for design and architecture. Thought-provoking questions and illustrated examples mixed with directions that invite children to build and explore their ideas.ContinueContinue reading “Wild Buildings and Bridges”
Observing Nature
“. . . observe simply for the sake of curiosity.” Inspired by the book iSites: Nature Journaling for Biomimicry by Erin Rovalo, the plan was to spend at least part of the day observing the natural world. Spring is sometimes the best of times to tune in the senses and just be filled by theContinueContinue reading “Observing Nature”
Moles with incredible noses and paws
The star-nosed mole’s incredible-looking nose is not used to smell; instead, the nose is used to feel. Moles spend most of their time underground, where it is dark, so it is important to have a good sense of touch. This fascinating animal is the only known mammal that can smell underwater! Wow! The mole sendsContinueContinue reading “Moles with incredible noses and paws”
Ideas and Groundhogs are Everywhere!
The groundhog is an interesting character and a perfect animal to use as an introduction to biomimicry. If the various names this rodent is known by do not spark any ideas, its behaviour and fascinating face might. Groundhogs are known as woodchuck, groundpig, whistlepig, thickwood badger, monax, moonack, weenusk, red monk and, among French Canadians inContinueContinue reading “Ideas and Groundhogs are Everywhere!”
An Egg is Quiet
This post contains ad links. Smashing the walls of a coconut takes some skill! An Egg Is Quiet (Nature Books) is stunningly beautiful and makes a fascinating introduction to the amazing world of eggs. Poetic text and wonderfully informative, it explores interesting facts about eggs that really spark curiosity and imagination. Written by Dianna HuttsContinueContinue reading “An Egg is Quiet”
Daydreaming about Ladybirds
November and not a ladybird in sight. The cold November weather has arrived and the pretty ladybird is hibernating. And somehow, the things you cannot see quickly become more interesting! The slow-motion video below of a ladybird taking off provides you with an opportunity to slow down. Being mindful is to slow down and observeContinueContinue reading “Daydreaming about Ladybirds”
Cool and Warm Ptarmigan Sneaker Kit – Biomimicry for Young Children
What if, we could design a greener and cheaper shoe where you replace part of the shoe when the weather changes or when one part of the shoe is worn out? My strongest memory of seeing ptarmigan comes from a skiing holiday in the Swedish mountains. I never really liked cross-country skiing and on aContinueContinue reading “Cool and Warm Ptarmigan Sneaker Kit – Biomimicry for Young Children”
Creepy Smelly Burglar Alarm
Can you rethink the way burglar alarms work? The creepy-looking devil’s fingers sparked the idea. Looks are important, but for this nature-inspired idea, the smells that the fungi release are more crucial for the alarm to work. A burglar alarm usually works by making a loud noise. The focus is on sending a message toContinueContinue reading “Creepy Smelly Burglar Alarm”
Devil’s Fingers – Spooky Video Inspiration –
Looking for non-plastic inspiration to celebrate Halloween? Nature is not always pretty and beautiful. It can be ghoulish and horrific! Imagine that you are out walking on a sunny autumn afternoon when you stumble across a fungus emerging from what looks like strange-looking eggs. Slender pinkish-red arms emerge from the top which creepily can moreContinueContinue reading “Devil’s Fingers – Spooky Video Inspiration –”
Sea Slug Borrowers – Inspirational video
Spots, stripes, bold vibrant colours or soft milky pastels. Nudibranchs do everything to capture your attention. These soft-bodied creatures warn predators with their high-contrast markings and colours. But some sea slugs are a bit more cunning, and they steal stinging cells that they collect from hydroid prey. The nudibranch’s gut is impressive, with fingerlike branchesContinueContinue reading “Sea Slug Borrowers – Inspirational video”
Reindeer Challenge – Zero Waste Ideas for a Reindeer Party
Plastic is everywhere! Can you help design packing materials for a Reindeer Party to celebrate that all the Xmas gifts have been delivered around the world? Reindeer are vegetarians, so they eat only plants. During the summer months, they eat grass and shrubs. Once the snow covers the tundra, they start looking for lichen. WhyContinueContinue reading “Reindeer Challenge – Zero Waste Ideas for a Reindeer Party”
Dot-ish Positive Nature Words
Wild things Mud Faces Talking trees Adventure Peace Magical Fill a page in your Biomimicry Journal with positive nature words. Creative and inspirational energy is important when you think dive into nature. For young biomimicrists, looking at animals and plants with a positive and curious mindset is vital. We are, after all, hunting for possibilities!ContinueContinue reading “Dot-ish Positive Nature Words”
Supertiny Bats with Superpowers
Unstoppable hunters of the night! A couple of weeks ago, we went for a bat walk in Sutton Park. Equipped with warm clothes and torches, we searched for bats in the dark autumn evening using bat detectors. The rain was drizzling, but luckily, the bats still came out to feed. Bats are mammals, and they areContinueContinue reading “Supertiny Bats with Superpowers”
Inspired by Fungi
Fly agaric, jelly ear, shaggy inkcap and sickener. How many fungi can you identify? And have you ever seen ghost fungus? Fungi grow in a range of different environments. They live in the soil, on plants and animals, in fresh water and in seawater. They even grow on your body! Many fungi are colourful, andContinueContinue reading “Inspired by Fungi”
Step out of the classroom and into nature
Looking for hands-on lessons and activities that engage children in environmental literacy? Biomimicry offers project-based instruction that may inspire future generations to care for nature and to see nature as a spot that offers not only calmness and spectacular experiences of beauty and drama but also can make your head twirl around with possibilities. PossibleContinueContinue reading “Step out of the classroom and into nature”
Super Siri Spider Sieve
What lives in the ocean? Fish, dolphins, sea otters, whales, octopuses, plants, corals, sea turtles and sea spiders. And plastic! Marine creatures are vulnerable to fragments of plastic littering the world’s oceans. Big animals such as whales are ingesting microplastics. Microplastics are small fragments of plastic, less than 5 mm. There are different types ofContinueContinue reading “Super Siri Spider Sieve”
Shells – Biomimicry
Make a garland of your drawings of seashells that you find at the beach. Cut out the drawings and make a little hole. Thread a ribbon or string through the holes, and the garland is finished. You can put the garland in your Biomimicry Journal and save it as inspiration. You can also put theContinueContinue reading “Shells – Biomimicry”
A Day at the Beach
Use the beach to spark your imagination! What could be better than lying in silence at the shore, listening to the waves and watching sand grains roll back and forth? Explore beaches and admire seashells while you breathe in the sea air. A day at the beach is a wonderful adventure. It is a greatContinueContinue reading “A Day at the Beach”
Inspired by Plantopedia
This blog post contains affiliate links. Bring the joy of plants to children! Parks, woodlands and gardens are dazzling with interesting plants. There are the stinkers, the air freshers, and the perfumed. Plantopedia: Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth (Wide Eyed) by Adrienne Barman has all sorts of plants, from the biggest to theContinueContinue reading “Inspired by Plantopedia”
Buildings inspired by Termite Mounds – Inspirational Video
What can be worse than spending a day in a too-cold classroom? Schools are often too cold or too hot for optimal learning. Research suggests that the best results are achieved when the room temperature is 22 degrees Celsius. A too-hot classroom makes students sleepy, and a too-cold classroom makes them focus on ways toContinueContinue reading “Buildings inspired by Termite Mounds – Inspirational Video”
Cherry Blossom Estate – Eco-friendly Houses Inspired by Nature
“build buildings like trees and cities like forests” William McDonough Ah, the dance of the cherry trees. Few things in nature are as lovely as the pink clouds of cherry blossoms. A wonderful way to welcome Spring. The loveliness is perhaps even more lovely since it is so fleeting. And the display in our gardenContinueContinue reading “Cherry Blossom Estate – Eco-friendly Houses Inspired by Nature”