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Inspired by NaturePBL Works
This project for 1st grade begins with the driving question "How can observing the natural world help us find solutions to human problems?"
Academic Subject: Engineering & Technology
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Wild Buildings and Bridges: Architecture Inspired by NatureEtta Kaner and Carl Wiens
This book for kids age 8-12, celebrates examples of nature's influence on building and bridge designs all over the world and includes simple activities that help illustrate some concepts.
resource
Business Innovation and Solutions Through BiomimicryMontana Natural History Center
This video features professor Jakki Mohr discussing ways to connect business and nature through biomimicry.
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STEM Activity for 1st Grade: Nature-Inspired DesignDavid Lee EdTech
This video describes a project in which students used design thinking and nature inspired design to engineer a tool for a family activity.
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Powers of Ten: Blue Morpho ButterflyNational Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Blue Morpho Butterfly is a frequently referenced example of structural color. This lesson plan explores the structure and possible biomimetic applications.
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Wild-Inspired Robotic ArmsPBS LearningMedia and NOVA
A video excerpted from NOVA: “Making Stuff Wilder,” provided with a background essay, accompanying classroom project guide, and discussion questions for grades 6-12.
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Biomes and BiomimicryDiscovery Education
In this activity, students work in teams and use biomimicry to build an Adaptation Station that will enhance life for humans living in a specific environment.
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Biomimicry: The “Natural” Intersection of Biology and EngineeringCeleste Nicholas & Jeffrey Peterson
An article detailing a biomimicry engineering project for middle school students. Provided with NGSS alignments (MS-ETS1-1 and MS-LS4-6) by curators at NSTA.
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“Trait Mountain” STEM UnitSTEM Roots
This three-week life science themed unit is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards for first grade—including a comprehensive lesson on biomimicry aligned to NGSS 1-LS1-1.
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Implementing Biomimicry and Sustainable Design with an Emphasis on the Application of Ecological PrinciplesVanderbilt University
In this collection of lessons high school students study ecological relationships in the Sonoran Desert, examine species adaptations, and then apply what they have learned in a design challenge.
resource
It’s in the Bag: Engineering BioInspired GearMuseum of Science, Boston
Created for after school and camp programs, this unit takes students through a bio-inspired engineering design challenge.
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Structural BiomaterialsJulian Vincent
An introduction to the structural materials in natural organisms and what we can learn from them to improve man-made technology.
resource
“Who Is Your Champion?”Caryn Walker, Roberta L. Ethington, and Alyssa Y. Stark
This article for teachers outlines a series of upper elementary lessons on structure and function, with an extension lesson that incorporates related engineering design. Provided with NGSS alignments (4-LS1-1) by curators at NSTA.
resource
Mother Nature’s ShoesSciGirls
In this episode from the PBS series SciGirls, nature’s strategies inspire a group of friends to design a safer shoe for walking on icy streets. An accompanying activity teaches students about friction.
resource
Bio-Inspired Design ProjectThe Kids' Science Challenge
A collection of lessons created in conjunction with the “2009 Kids’ Science Challenge."
resource
Just Passing Through: Designing Model MembranesMuseum of Science, Boston
This unit, from the Engineering Is Elementary series, introduces elementary students to bio-inspired engineering.
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Biomimicry & Science: Applying Nature’s StrategiesBiomimicry Institute & EcoRise
A high school science curriculum that reinforces core concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics, and includes a biomimicry design challenge.
resource
Engineering Inspired by NatureThe Center for Learning with Nature
An award-winning, standards-aligned engineering curriculum for middle and high school.
resource
Bio-Inspired Design: Scientist Audio ProgramsPulse of the Planet
A collection of 28 two-minute radio segments featuring scientists talking about natural strategies and bio-inspired design.
resource
Fritz Vollrath: “Who wouldn’t want to study spiders?”The Guardian
Article and accompanying 13 minute video featuring a researcher who studies the biology of spider silks to develop high-tech fibers.
resource
Inspired by NaturePBL Works
This project for 1st grade begins with the driving question "How can observing the natural world help us find solutions to human problems?"
resource
Wild Buildings and Bridges: Architecture Inspired by NatureEtta Kaner and Carl Wiens
This book for kids age 8-12, celebrates examples of nature's influence on building and bridge designs all over the world and includes simple activities that help illustrate some concepts.
resource
Business Innovation and Solutions Through BiomimicryMontana Natural History Center
This video features professor Jakki Mohr discussing ways to connect business and nature through biomimicry.
resource
STEM Activity for 1st Grade: Nature-Inspired DesignDavid Lee EdTech
This video describes a project in which students used design thinking and nature inspired design to engineer a tool for a family activity.
resource
Powers of Ten: Blue Morpho ButterflyNational Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Blue Morpho Butterfly is a frequently referenced example of structural color. This lesson plan explores the structure and possible biomimetic applications.
resource
Wild-Inspired Robotic ArmsPBS LearningMedia and NOVA
A video excerpted from NOVA: “Making Stuff Wilder,” provided with a background essay, accompanying classroom project guide, and discussion questions for grades 6-12.
resource
Biomes and BiomimicryDiscovery Education
In this activity, students work in teams and use biomimicry to build an Adaptation Station that will enhance life for humans living in a specific environment.
resource
Biomimicry: The “Natural” Intersection of Biology and EngineeringCeleste Nicholas & Jeffrey Peterson
An article detailing a biomimicry engineering project for middle school students. Provided with NGSS alignments (MS-ETS1-1 and MS-LS4-6) by curators at NSTA.
resource
“Trait Mountain” STEM UnitSTEM Roots
This three-week life science themed unit is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards for first grade—including a comprehensive lesson on biomimicry aligned to NGSS 1-LS1-1.
resource
Implementing Biomimicry and Sustainable Design with an Emphasis on the Application of Ecological PrinciplesVanderbilt University
In this collection of lessons high school students study ecological relationships in the Sonoran Desert, examine species adaptations, and then apply what they have learned in a design challenge.
resource
It’s in the Bag: Engineering BioInspired GearMuseum of Science, Boston
Created for after school and camp programs, this unit takes students through a bio-inspired engineering design challenge.
resource
Structural BiomaterialsJulian Vincent
An introduction to the structural materials in natural organisms and what we can learn from them to improve man-made technology.
resource
“Who Is Your Champion?”Caryn Walker, Roberta L. Ethington, and Alyssa Y. Stark
This article for teachers outlines a series of upper elementary lessons on structure and function, with an extension lesson that incorporates related engineering design. Provided with NGSS alignments (4-LS1-1) by curators at NSTA.
resource
Mother Nature’s ShoesSciGirls
In this episode from the PBS series SciGirls, nature’s strategies inspire a group of friends to design a safer shoe for walking on icy streets. An accompanying activity teaches students about friction.
resource
Bio-Inspired Design ProjectThe Kids' Science Challenge
A collection of lessons created in conjunction with the “2009 Kids’ Science Challenge."
resource
Just Passing Through: Designing Model MembranesMuseum of Science, Boston
This unit, from the Engineering Is Elementary series, introduces elementary students to bio-inspired engineering.
resource
Biomimicry & Science: Applying Nature’s StrategiesBiomimicry Institute & EcoRise
A high school science curriculum that reinforces core concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics, and includes a biomimicry design challenge.
resource
Engineering Inspired by NatureThe Center for Learning with Nature
An award-winning, standards-aligned engineering curriculum for middle and high school.
resource
Bio-Inspired Design: Scientist Audio ProgramsPulse of the Planet
A collection of 28 two-minute radio segments featuring scientists talking about natural strategies and bio-inspired design.
resource
Fritz Vollrath: “Who wouldn’t want to study spiders?”The Guardian
Article and accompanying 13 minute video featuring a researcher who studies the biology of spider silks to develop high-tech fibers.
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