A Catalyst article describing how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and how they work. In particular the development of Velcro, military fabric, swimwear and waterproofing is looked at. These products were developed by scientific study of natural products such as plant burrs, pinecones,...

This resource looks at how biomimicry enables engineers to take ideas from the natural world to develop new products and designs. The specific example of gecko tape is used to illustrate this. Students play a game of pairs where they need to match technology with the animal or plant which inspired its development....

This Catalyst article investigates biomimetics and discovers how scientists are finding ways of copying ideas from nature to improve products. The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue...

Part two of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will develop strategies to produce creative design ideas using nature and natural forms as inspiration. Students will understand through designer examples (Alessi) how companies take inspiration using morphing as a strategy. A series of activities...

Part five of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will re-cap previous lessons learning on biomimicry. They will work in small groups and in a short time period complete a design challenge of producing a scaled model of an item of furniture using a provided image board. Students will be provided...

Part four of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will develop an understanding of how biomimicry has inspired architecture through shape and form. Throughout the lesson resource students will develop memory skills from studying images and being able to recreate them quickly as a free line sketch....

Part three of a series of five lessons covering biomimicry students will develop an understanding of how biomimicry has inspired textile design from modern products to those throughout art and design history. Students will learn how fabrics and textiles have been inspired by nature through theory, images and videos...

In the search for genuinely sustainable building design and technology, designs that go beyond conventional sustainability to be truly restorative, we often find that nature got there first.

Over 3.5 billion...

This resource was developed by a STEM Ambassador, working with St Bonaventure’s School. It looks at how the natural world has inspired design. Student research and developed ideas for their biomimicry-based modes of transport, and modelled them.
Students then presented their ideas and models, explaining how...

This profound and accessible book details how science is studying nature's best ideas to solve our toughest 21st century problems. Essential reading for anyone interested in science, nature, ecology, and conservation...

This item is one of over 25,000 physical resources available from the Resources Collection. The Archive Collection covers over 50 years of curriculum development in the STEM subjects. The Contemporary Collection includes all the latest publications from UK educational publishers.

A collection of resources to support teaching the principles of biomimicry in design and engineering.

The Bionic Boy resources take inspiration from the Born to Engineer video from Ben Ryan, who is working to develop low-cost 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for young children and babies. Through discussion and practical activity, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of engineering through...

This activity from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a quick, engaging introduction to a lesson looking at the properties of modern materials. It encourages students to think about how technology is changing our society.