In this lesson, which could be used in a language arts class, students research the development of a commercial product that imitates nature, perform infomercials describing how they work, and then synthesize their understanding by creating and advertising a biomimetic product of their own design. The lesson was created to accompany a New York Times article (“Engineers Ask Nature for Design Advice”) from 2001 but could easily be used as a framework to analyze a more recent news feature on biomimicry.

• Name some examples of biomimicry and describe in detail how at least one product works
  and why it is better than conventional solutions.

• Practice the creative aspect of biomimicry by proposing imaginary products that mimic
  nature.