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 an approach rooted in approaches found in the natural world. New and exciting insights can be found by exploring nature’s wisdom that has been tried, tested and developed over billions of years.
Encouraging young children to explore biomimicry can ignite their creativity, curiosity, and observational skills. By studying nature through this lens, children are inspired to approach problem-solving with playfulness and creativity. Biomimicry bridges the boundaries traditionally found in education, providing children with opportunities to mix art, literature and science with an innovative approach.
Exploring the intricate design principles of plants and animals opens up a world of intriguing questions. These questions challenge us to understand the underlying reasons behind nature’s mechanisms and prompt us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. Using a biomimicry lens to explore our world prompts interest. These questions force us to think about why nature is working in a specific way, which forces us to look at our relationship with nature.
Question asking is an undervalued part of education, and when using biomimicry with young children it is also great to allow children to ask deeper questions about nature. In the same way, children can have something to say about philosophy so they can have an opinion and wish to explore the natural world more deeply. Describing nature and looking for ways that nature works is great but to build a world that is based upon other principles it is necessary to teach children to think about underlying principles.
Questions of a more philosophical nature will help children develop a mindset that appreciates and respects the wonders of the natural world. Although at first everything may be more confusing, which is the impact that questions of a philosophical nature usually have on the mind, these questions stimulate the mind and nurture a deeper understanding of animals, plants and fungi.
Some examples of questions children can ponder over include:
- What type of washing powder would the river like us to develop?
- How can we design clothes that benefit the soil and its inhabitants?
- What do the apple trees want us to want?
Biomimicry for Young Children 