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What Can Nature Teach Us?

Exploring Biomimicry with Ground Education

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Can nature be our teacher?

What kinds of work does nature do?

Can we observe and learn from nature?

How can we use the ideas we discover?

A nasturtium plant demonstrates water collection on leaf

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Let’s think together about nature’s work

Is there a time when you wanted to do these things?

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Let’s copy nature

Nature has worked for billions of years to create a life-friendly world.

Watch this video and think about how nature might help us solve a problem.

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Nature grabs on

Do you see something grabbing on?

Why would a seed want to

grab on ?

Make the shape of the burr

seed with your hands. Does the

shape help it do its work?

Velcro was modeled after prickly burr seeds!

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Nature moves

How does a gecko walk up a wall?

When we observe how nature solves a problem we may discover a solution that can help humans.

Fun Fact:

Gecko feet inspired non-skid socks

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Nature protects

Can you spot the moth camouflaged on the tree?

Why might we want to blend into our surroundings?

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Nature holds water

This beetle lives in the Namib desert where less than 1 inch of rain falls every year.

It collects fog by lifting its shell so water droplets drain into its mouth.

How are you similar to the beetle?

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Nature Notes

Happy Birthday, Tree!

Is this tree older than you are?

A tree is like me!

Model how your body is like a trunk and your toes like roots. You breathe air, does a tree?

Are you similar to other things in nature?

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Now It’s Your Turn!

Visit the Biomimicry Institute website and type in things like:

  • leaf, ant or whale
  • fast, strong or quiet
  • communicate, move or protect

… to learn about incredible ideas inspired by nature!

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You are a scientist!

Have fun using our activities and let nature teach you something...

  • Move with Nature: Yoga to move like a tree, mountain and flower
  • Call to Action: We need more trees!
  • Story Time: Listen to the book Wild Ideas
  • Now It’s Your Turn: Ideas inspired by nature at www.asknature.org
  • Nature Notes: What do you have in common with a tree?
  • Engineering Challenge: Paper airplanes that fly like bird wings