Posted on August 2nd, 2019 by Mary Lord
How do you build the world’s fastest human-powered submarine? A team of CalPoly engineering students sought inspiration in nature – with the goal of besting the competition at the 2019 international submarine race.
Last fall, a team of California Polytechnic Institute engineering students took up the challenge and sought inspiration from nature.
Read More
Filed under: Special Features | Comments Off on Cal Poly’s Shark Sub
Tags: Aerospace Engineering, bioinspired design, Biomimicry, Cal Poly, Carderock Naval Warfare Center International Submarine Races, engineering education, human-powered submarine, Mechanical engineering, STEM education
Posted on July 26th, 2018 by Mary Lord
High school students design a permanent guest village within the Saguaro National Park in Arizona after studying the desert ecology. Their designs must provide a true desert experience for visitors while emphasizing sustainable design, protecting the natural environment, and conserving energy and resources.
Read More
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 9-12, Lesson Plans | Comments Off on Designing Desert Digs
Tags: bio-inspired design, Biomimicry, Class Activities, cooling, desert, eco-village, ecology, Energy, Engineering Design Process, environment, Environmental Engineering, Grades 9-12, habitat, heat, Lesson Plan, Saguaro National Park, shelter, solar power, Sustainability, tourist village
Posted on September 17th, 2014 by Mary Lord
Middle school students learn about the engineering design process by building a model of an innovative human shelter inspired and informed by an animal habitat. They then present their work, explaining what attribute of the animal structure influenced their design.
Read More
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Lesson Plans | Comments Off on Live Like an Animal
Tags: bio-inspired design, Biomimicry, building, Civil Engineering, Class Activities, Education Policy, Environmental science, Grades 6-8, habitat, Lesson Plans, shelter
Posted on September 27th, 2011 by Mary Lord
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is a contest for K-12 students to learn about biomimicry — design inspired by nature — and use it to create something new. Sponsored by the nonprofit Biomimicry Institute, the contest is open to students at three different levels: K-4 (submissions made by the whole class); 5-8; and 9-12. Prizes will be awarded in all three categories.
Read More
Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5, K-12 Outreach Programs | Comments Off on Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge
Tags: Biomimicry, Competitions for Students, Contest
Posted on September 25th, 2011 by Mary Lord
In this lesson, students in grades 6-8 discover how engineers can use biomimicry to enhance their designs. They learn how careful observation of nature — in this case, reverse engineering a flower — can lead to new innovations and products.
Read More
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 6-8, Lesson Plans | Comments Off on Lesson: Design From Nature
Tags: Biomimicry, Class Activities, Environmental Engineering, Grades 6-8, Lesson Plan
Posted on January 21st, 2009 by ASEE
Learn on the Website of David L. Hu, a professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech University, how the ability of snakes to slide helps explain the movement of wheels, ice skates and cross-country skis.
Read More
Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Web Resources | Comments Off on Web Resource: Snakes Alive! Biomimicry Videos
Tags: Biomimicry, Videos, Web Resources
Posted on January 12th, 2009 by ASEE
In this elementary school activity, students learn about biomimicry and how engineers often imitate nature in the design of innovative new products. They demonstrate their knowledge of biomimicry by practicing brainstorming and designing a new product based on what they know about animals and nature.
Read More
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5 | 2 Comments »
Tags: Biomimicry, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5
Posted on December 11th, 2007 by ASEE
Students learn about biomimicry and how engineers imitate nature in the design of innovative new products. They demonstrate their knowledge by practicing brainstorming and designing a new product based on what they know about animals and nature.
Read More
Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5, Grades K-5, Lesson Plans | Comments Off on Biomimicry: Natural Designs
Tags: Biomimicry, Design
