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Activity (Hands-On)Grades 6 - 8

Using Nature as the Solution: Biomimicry in Engineering

A close up photo view of beads of water forming on a leaf.The lotus effect in action on a leaf

In this exploration of the natural world, students make sense of biomimicry through examples and think about situations where they could develop something using biomimicry. The first part of the activity has students think about the importance of water and introduces biomimicry. Students then learn about biomimicry from a TED Talk, explore examples of biomimicry through a station activity, and then visualize the lotus effect while thinking about the implications of the lotus effect on access to clean drinking water. This activity is the third in a sequence that introduces nanotechnology, bioengineering, and the importance of access to clean drinking water. This activity could be used to prepare students to begin designing their own water filter in a subsequent activity.

This activity could be used as a precursor to discussions on how to engineer a water filter. The activity introduces the use of biomimicry in development of technologies that can help provide access to clean drinking water. This activity also encourages student thinking about nanoengineering and how engineers use influences from nature to solve human problems. 

After this activity, students should be able to:

  • Identify and discuss ways in which water is important to our existence.
  • Define and explain biomimicry.
  • Provide and analyze examples of how engineers use biomimicry to solve problems.
  • Explain how “superhydrophobia” contributes to the ability for materials to self-clean, repel microbes, prevent corrosion, and prevent wetness.
  • Have cursory ideas about how people with water insecurity may have better access to water using biomimicry or nanotechnology.

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