Biomimicry

All animals have problems and ways of finding solutions to meet their needs. With simple text and beautiful diorama illustrations, young children are encouraged to learn from nature and apply creativity to human problem-solving.

This picture book compares successful animal adaptations with analogous human clothing and accessories, such a turtle’s protective hard shell and a child’s bike helmet, or a duck’s water-repellent features and human’s raincoat and hat. A fun introduction to biomimicry for younger children.

This engaging book for primary-grade children introduces the concept of “Nature Did It First!” In rhyming verse and colorful illustrations, each two-page spread celebrates the remarkable attributes of a certain animal, followed by a description of how engineers have been inspired by these special features to solve a human problem. A glossary, design challenges, and tips for teachers and parents are also included.

In this award-winning volume, meet ten different “mimic makers” – people who have imitated plants and animals to create amazing technology. Each inventor tells his or her own story of observation, experimentation, and the design process. Discover how these scientists and engineers copy nature’s good ideas to solve real-world problems.

The burdock plant led to the idea for Velcro, whales inspired windmill turbines, and bats led to the development of radar. Often, humans can create smarter and safer inventions by observing the natural world. Learn more about how nature has inspired innovation in science, medicine, clothing design and architecture.

Written in the first person from the viewpoint of the animals, young readers meet the shark who inspired high-tech swimsuits, the termites who inspired self-cooling buildings, and the kingfisher who inspired a quieter high-speed train. Fun, colorful illustrations highlight these superstar animals and the human inventions that mimic them.

What do buildings and bridges have to do with nature? In this book, readers learn how human-made structures have been inspired by beetles, jellyfish, termites, trees, cacti and grass. For example, architects invented an earthquake-proof bridge by mimicking the long roots of a riverbank plant, and created a flood-proof house that floats on water like a lily pad. This book includes hands-on projects where kids can experiment with the ways that architectural designs work in nature and in their own creations.

In this fantastic book for young robot enthusiasts, twelve robots are presented, each one being inspired by an animal in nature. A few examples: a shrew-inspired robot that can detect objects in the dark using computerized “whiskers,” a snake-inspired robot used in search-and-rescue operations that can tunnel into very tight spaces, and a pillbug-inspired, firefighting robot that has heat-resistant armor and can scuttle quickly over burning ground.

With a voice brimming with enthusiasm and wonder, the author introduces young readers to over 40 examples of technology influenced by animals. Meet the amazing creatures who have inspired these inventions and the scientists who solved a “design dilemma” by looking toward nature.

Nature has had three billion years of inventing experience, so we can learn a lot from studying how nature solves problems. The science of biomimicry bridges biology and engineering by examining the innovations of the natural world and applying them to human needs. This book discusses successful nature-inspired designs as well as potential developments for the future

Nature is a genius at design, running the planet effectively and efficiently without waste or pollution. Can humans learn to do the same? Readers are introduced to fascinating innovations and inventions inspired by nature, including lamps powered by bacteria and gloves designed like gecko feet. Looking to nature for answers encourages sustainable living and hope for the future.