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”
Tag Archives: Creativity
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”
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.
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”
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”
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?”
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”
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”
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”
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?”
Treescrapers for Kids
Yesterday, I posted a rather long blog post about Treescrapers. Here are some of our ideas. It is winter here, so not much material to collect in the garden. But we used what we found, and after all, it is the learning and ideas that are important. Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry? Biomimicry isContinueContinue reading “Treescrapers for Kids”
How to Design a Future Green City with Treescrapers
Treescrapers are skyscrapers that work like trees. The scrapers make oxygen, distil water, and produce energy. Let’s design a City with Treescrapers. In a previous blog post, “Cities that help saving our planet,” we explored two examples of green ideas for cities: the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and Bosco Verticale in Milan. InContinueContinue reading “How to Design a Future Green City with Treescrapers”
Cities that help saving our planet
The video from Planet Earth 11 is so inspiring! Love the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. And the project in Milan is awesome. These ideas show that it is possible to design cities that are friendly to wildlife, more energy efficient, and more sustainable. We can design cities for the future! Cities for theContinueContinue reading “Cities that help saving our planet”
Reasons why it’s important to be Curious about Patterns in Nature
Nature is filled with ingenious designs – from how a leaf grows to spots on a leopard, and spirals of shells to bubbles used by snails. Studying patterns can be a wonderful activity, yet making sense of wonders is not always easy. The purpose of patterns can range from camouflage and warning signals to regulatingContinueContinue reading “Reasons why it’s important to be Curious about Patterns in Nature”
Super Mushroom & Fungi – Innovative Ideas
You can download this poster for free and use it in your classroom to inspire creative thinking using mushroom and fungi. Hope your kids get lots of glowing ideas! mushroom-innovative-ideas_flattenDownload Click here for blog posts about fungi. Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry? Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applyingContinueContinue reading “Super Mushroom & Fungi – Innovative Ideas”
Four Rhino Biomimicry Projects – Feet, Horns, Skin and Ecobiomimicry
A biomimicry project using rhinos as inspiration can spark off great ideas and provide insight into ways to solve tricky design problems. Biomimicry can be classified at three levels: form, process and system. Rhino are ecosystem engineers, and they can be used as inspiration for system biomimicry, also called ecosystem biomimicry. Let’s start with theContinueContinue reading “Four Rhino Biomimicry Projects – Feet, Horns, Skin and Ecobiomimicry”
How everyone can be inspired by how nature solves problems
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”
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”
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”
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”
New Year Poem
I found this beautiful video this morning and I thought it would be a great start to the new year. You can read more about the poem and the video here. Have a nature-filled 2023! https://player.vimeo.com/video/673019873?h=f009b2400b&color=ffdb00 The Universe in Verse | Part 1: Bloom from Maria Popova on Vimeo. Frequently Asked Questions What is biomimicry?ContinueContinue reading “New Year Poem”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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!”
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”
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 –”
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”
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”
Biomimicrylicious Time
Finding engaging activities that inspire our children to be responsible guardians of Earth is challenging. But biomimicry – learning from nature – can make all the difference. By using nature as inspiration, children can find viable solutions and invent things that are characterized by a more natural and sustainable foundation. Children can search for patternsContinueContinue reading “Biomimicrylicious Time”
A Beetle is Shy
How would you describe a beetle? Beetles can be colossal or tiny creatures. They can be colourful or plain, friendly and helpful or harmful. Beetles can even be tasty. And telegraphic! During spring, beetles and bugs are everywhere we look outside, and it is the perfect time to explore their amazing skills. AContinueContinue reading “A Beetle is Shy”
Non-Boring Trees
Are trees boring? Do all trees look the same? Ever heard of the Rainbow tree? Or seen a tree where the fruits grow on the bark? And what if you could see the roots of the tree? Thinking about and searching for information about trees is a great way to not only learn about natureContinueContinue reading “Non-Boring Trees”
How biomimicry boosts students’ observation skills, creativity and critical thinking.
Creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value. Ken Robinson Slugs and snails can usually be found hiding under branches and rocks in the schoolyard. Introduce students to biomimicry, and you are likely to come across groups of students marvelling at a slug or snail creeping along the surface. This may not onlyContinueContinue reading “How biomimicry boosts students’ observation skills, creativity and critical thinking.”
How to Speak Monkey
Do you have any special food call? A special ice cream call? Or a banana call? Playing with language can be fun as well as a serious business. Watching the TED-Ed video by Anne Savage provided us with plenty of inspiration for pondering about how we communicate. A think dive into communication from a differentContinueContinue reading “How to Speak Monkey”
Festive Reindeer Mind Map
Get into the Festive Spirit and learn about the cool reindeer! Help Father Christmas and use biomimicry to invent new gadgets to make his life easier. Begin the biomimicry journey by making a Festive Reindeer Mind Map using Christmas decorations. We made a mind map from old decorations and wrapping paper. You can use tinsel,ContinueContinue reading “Festive Reindeer Mind Map”
Festive Biomimicry Reindeer
The Festive Season is perfect for exploring some magical fun! Reindeer are amazing. Wonderful inspiration for helping Father Christmas. Exploring questions – funny, silly and serious – that excite our minds and then looking for ways to put an answer together. Sometimes the solution will work; sometimes, especially when exploring the world with young children,ContinueContinue reading “Festive Biomimicry Reindeer”
Biomimicry Journal – Bubble Froth Inspiration
What if you can use foam to protect yourself from germs? What would you look like? Foam-nesting frogs build meringue-like structures to protect their young even under the harshest conditions. The nests look delicate, but they are tough structures. These types of frogs can provide inspiration for lots of ideas. Creating a Biomimicry Journal isContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Journal – Bubble Froth Inspiration”
What if a pile of colourful autumn leaves was used as inspiration?
A think dive into a pile of colourful autumn leaves. The forest is going to sleep. Days are getting shorter and the animals are squirreling away for winter. Plants and flowers are capsulated and the trees start to let go of their leaves. Autumn is a wonderful season for discovering what happens when nature slowsContinueContinue reading “What if a pile of colourful autumn leaves was used as inspiration?”
The Wonders of an Autumn Walk
Children are curious about the wonders of autumn. They would ponder nature’s beauty of leaves changing colours and trees dropping treasures. Even if you have witnessed many autumns, you may still be impressed by the beauty. Autumn in the forest is so magical. Raindrops look like jewels, and the towering trees provide the perfect backdropContinueContinue reading “The Wonders of an Autumn Walk”
Be Inspired by Antarctic Ballet and Sliding Penguins
Running, hopping, waddling, jumping, sliding, porpoising, tobogganing, and diving penguins. Penguins are always ready for action. On land, they have rather poor eyesight but in the water, they have exceptional vision. They can dive up to 35 meters in the water. Why not draw a diving robot that can dive and see underwater? Or inventContinueContinue reading “Be Inspired by Antarctic Ballet and Sliding Penguins”
Whispering Ancient Trees – Listening to Nature
Do trees take the shape of the voices they have heard? That was one question that popped up on a walk when we saw this magnificent old tree with a gnarled trunk. A trunk filled with faces and animals. . . Trees are a precious part of our heritage, and at the very beginning ofContinueContinue reading “Whispering Ancient Trees – Listening to Nature”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Orangutans
On the third day of March We saved three Swinging Orangutans Our think dive this month is inspired by not only orangutans but also dreams about Easter bunnies and chocolate. After we have learnt that the production of palm oil is a major threat to orangutans, we decided to make a chocolate bark using chocolateContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Orangutans”
Be Inspired by Frogs
Do you know why frogs have big eyes that bulge out? Or why frogs can walk upside down? Frog eyes are big and come in a stunning range of colours and patterns. Perhaps you have seen a frog resting in the water with only its eyes and nose above the surface. Frogs can protrude theirContinueContinue reading “Be Inspired by Frogs”
Slugs are Cool
Would it not be great if you could smell with your body just like a slug? Slugs are everywhere! And gooey slime is a wonderful substance that can solve many problems. Britain has ideal conditions for slugs to thrive – cool, damp summers and warmish, mild, wet winters. Climate change also contributes to turning ourContinueContinue reading “Slugs are Cool”
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is an exciting way to inspire young children to be creative and curious and to observe the world. Children come to understand how animals and plants can be used as a platform upon which ideas and inventions can be developed. Biomimicry bridges the boundaries traditionally found in education and provides young children with anContinueContinue reading “What is Biomimicry?”
Hunting for the Golden Ratio
Does the golden ratio exist in the world of art, architecture and design? Or is it a myth? Why not spend some time to check it out for yourself? The golden ratio is regarded as a way to define something beautiful. Great artists such as Salvador Dalí are said to have used the number sequenceContinueContinue reading “Hunting for the Golden Ratio”
Ice-Cream Roots – Mixing Ideas with a Touch of Magic and Imagination
Thinking, whether it is planning what information you need to solve a problem, exploring where in your body you feel certain, or searching for new ideas, is something that should be exciting and fun. For too long, the image of a serious person sitting still and thinking about serious stuff has ruled. A creative approachContinueContinue reading “Ice-Cream Roots – Mixing Ideas with a Touch of Magic and Imagination”
Looking for Spirals in Nature
Filled with inspiration after having completed a course at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology. One week was spent looking for patterns in nature. Like the fractal nature of tree branching and antlers. Or spirals like galaxies, shells, pine cones and sunflower heads. After a while, I startedContinueContinue reading “Looking for Spirals in Nature”
Exploring Concepts and Building Things
The focus during the first years of formal education is to teach children basic concepts such as height and length. Worksheets are often designed to help teach identifying what is the same and what is different, and to determine which things that go together. A concept is an abstract pattern in the brain that standsContinueContinue reading “Exploring Concepts and Building Things”
Biomimicry, Pasta and Mind Mapping – Dandelion Magic
Ahhh, you never really know where you might end up when you blow dandelion seeds. Watching the little parachutes dance away in the chilly spring breeze may spark many ideas. Observe, listen, touch, smell and, in some cases, even taste. Creativity, curiosity, and observing the world are exciting ways to bring nature into the classroomContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry, Pasta and Mind Mapping – Dandelion Magic”
A Day at the Beach – Inspired by Sandpipers and Seagulls
Building sandcastles, surfing on waves, and licking the world’s yummiest ice cream! A day at the beach can be truly magical. Children can tank their bodies with warm sun rays and their parents’ endless love. But it can also be a day filled with wonderous and mind-boggling ideas and questions. Dream, build and invent. InventContinueContinue reading “A Day at the Beach – Inspired by Sandpipers and Seagulls”
Autumn Owl Robo – Use Biomimicry to Teach Children to Think
I have big eyes. The big eyes help me to. . . Owls are most vocal in autumn, and you can twit-twhoo-ing when you make this craft inspired by owls’ big eyes. The big eyes help owls to see in the dark. We made an Autumn Owl robo with several eyes so that it canContinueContinue reading “Autumn Owl Robo – Use Biomimicry to Teach Children to Think”
Biomimicry Inspiration from Africa with Crocolicious Love
As Roald Dahl memorably put it in Dirty Beasts, “No animal is half as vile as Crocky-Wock, the crocodile” — a fittingly dramatic introduction to an animal that’s inspired more real science than his poem gives it credit for. We had a period when we read rhymes from Dirty Beasts every night. In the end,ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry Inspiration from Africa with Crocolicious Love”
Hunt for Straight Lines
What prevents a tree from growing in straight lines? Are there straight lines in nature? And are there right angles? The trees have lost most of their leaves, and the structure of the trees is visible. So the other day we hunted for the tree with the straightest trunk and branches. When we look atContinueContinue reading “Hunt for Straight Lines”
Be a Rabbit Detective – Life Cycle, Biomimicry, Inspiration for Ideas
In a local park not far from our house, there are lots of rabbits running around. Watching the bouncy rabbits is always an exciting time. Rabbits are also a common pet. And pets can provide the perfect inspiration for new ideas. A Rabbit’s Life Cycle Before you can be a good rabbit detective, it helpsContinueContinue reading “Be a Rabbit Detective – Life Cycle, Biomimicry, Inspiration for Ideas”
Endangered Frogs and Lily Pads – Biomimicry for Young Children
What would you think if there were no frogs to kiss? In stories, frogs are often portrayed as ugly and slimy. When frogs are not hopping off lily pads or croaking”ribbit” in the pond, they are often said to turn into a beautiful prince or princess if you dare to kiss them. And it isContinueContinue reading “Endangered Frogs and Lily Pads – Biomimicry for Young Children”
Autumn Leaves – Colour and Shape
Being a nature detective during the autumn can be a lot of fun. Mushrooms just waiting to be admired and sometimes even picked. If you walk quietly you may spot squirrels and birds. Acorns, conkers and pine cones can be collected and turned into wonderful arts and crafts. Piles of leaves just waiting for youContinueContinue reading “Autumn Leaves – Colour and Shape”
Eternal Magic Leaf Sheep Snack Bar and Photosynthesis – Biomimicry
A couple of weeks ago, I found the cutest little leaf sheep. A sea slug that looks adorable and has the most amazing ability – an animal that can rely on sunshine for its nutrition. It sounds like a test from school, and you would definitely fail if you ticked that genes from an algaContinueContinue reading “Eternal Magic Leaf Sheep Snack Bar and Photosynthesis – Biomimicry”
The Twelve Months of Endangered Animals Songs- Cool & Hot Zebra Socks
On the eighth day of August we saved eight elegant zebras. Black and white stripes. For years, scientists thought this striking pattern worked like a natural air conditioner — the idea was that the black stripes warm up in the sun faster than the white ones, creating tiny air currents that cool the zebraContinueContinue reading “The Twelve Months of Endangered Animals Songs- Cool & Hot Zebra Socks”
Sunday Walk – Autumn Biomimicry Food Challenge
The forest is coming to a standstill and animals are preparing for the colder weather. One year, the theme for the Biomimicry Institute’s Global Design Challenge was How to improve food systems by looking to nature for design solutions. We decided to embrace this challenge on our Sunday walk. Autumn is a busy time forContinueContinue reading “Sunday Walk – Autumn Biomimicry Food Challenge”
Inspired by Endangered Sloths – Sloth Meditation
Imagine that you can be a sloth. What does it mean to find your inner sloth? Sloths are asleep a good portion of the twenty-four-hour day. The rest of the time they are slowly moving and feeding. What if you were licking an ice cream in a way that a sloth munches slowly on leaves?ContinueContinue reading “Inspired by Endangered Sloths – Sloth Meditation”
Biomimicry for Young Children Inspired by the Endangered Sloths
Bring slowness into the world! On the Second Day of February, We Saved Two Sleepy Sloths Would it not be great to stretch time? How can we celebrate slowfulness? William Beebe was a sloth researcher who was very impressed by the sloths’ slowness. He wrote, “Sloths have no right to be living on this earth,ContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children Inspired by the Endangered Sloths”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Dugongs
Dugongs spark our curiosity and tug our heart-strings. These sea cows are beautiful and fascinating creatures. On the first day of January we saved One swimming dugong Inspired by the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, we made up a song where we each month saved an animal – The Twelve Months of Endangered AnimalsContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Inspired by Endangered Dugongs”
Imagine a city! A Smart City!
People flying with their umbrellas as the wind blows. Paintings that escape from their frames. Buses are fish and fish fly in the sky! Imagine a City by Elise Hurst is an invitation to imagine all sorts of fantastic things. She encourages us to not only imagine fantastical cities but also take the game aContinueContinue reading “Imagine a city! A Smart City!”
Biomimicry for Young Children – Magic DinoPills
What if you were a dentist? Can you invent something inspired by dinosaurs? Magnificent plant-eating dinosaurs provided inspiration for the idea of Magic DinoPills. This is biomimicry applied to medicine — not copying an animal’s shape, but copying the biological trick that makes its trait possible. The long-necked, plant-eating giants such as Diplodocus and CamarasaurusContinueContinue reading “Biomimicry for Young Children – Magic DinoPills”
Jelly Bean Frog Story Writing and Robos- Biomimicry for Young Children
Tiny, tiny, tiny frogs! Some frogs are the size of a jellybean. Jelly bean frogs – wonderful inspiration! Of course, we could not resist cutting out the tiniest frogs and putting them beside jelly beans. Brachycephalus frogs are less than 1 cm long (0.39 inches) or approximately the size of a jelly bean. They haveContinueContinue reading “Jelly Bean Frog Story Writing and Robos- Biomimicry for Young Children”
Spooky Spiderlicious Spycamera – Halloween-Inspired Biomimicry for Young Children
Be inspired by Spiders to prevent a thief from stealing Halloween treats. Spiders! Oh no! Although I have never been afraid of spiders, I must admit that finding a poisonous redback in my shoes in Queensland did make me jump back. The redback spider is a beautiful black spider with a big red stripe onContinueContinue reading “Spooky Spiderlicious Spycamera – Halloween-Inspired Biomimicry for Young Children”
Digging Deeper – Biomimicry and Philosophy
It is deceptively easy to think that biomimicry is simply an approach where the only purpose is to invent and design new things. Yet, biomimicry goes beyond mere invention and design; it is a way to learn from and mimic the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges. New and exciting insights canContinueContinue reading “Digging Deeper – Biomimicry and Philosophy”
CroakMet Messaging Service – Biomimicry for Young Children
In the summertime, bike riding is even more fun! Yet there are several problems with bike riding. Frogs’ amazing bulging eyes and low, horse-like croaking sound inspired us to solve two of the most annoying problems. How do you talk to your best friend without shouting? How do you see everything that goes on behindContinueContinue reading “CroakMet Messaging Service – Biomimicry for Young Children”