Nature-Inspired Design Challenge

Pick a design problem, then pick an animal or plant part that solves the same problem in nature. Beaver teeth dig, duck feet paddle, gecko toes grip, and lotus leaves shed rain. Copying nature is called biomimicry.

Choose a mode

Read the hint below. Tap a nature part that matches.

Design a Hole-Digger

Make a tool that moves earth fast to dig a garden.

Hint. Look at animals that live underground.

Pick a design problem

Pick a nature part to copy

Biomimicry Reference

What Is Biomimicry?

Biomimicry means copying nature to solve human problems. Plants and animals have been solving survival problems for millions of years. Engineers and designers study them for ideas.

  • Animals. Wings, paws, teeth, claws, fur, feet, and tails all have special jobs.
  • Plants. Leaves, seeds, roots, and flowers all solve problems of living.
  • People. Engineers copy these parts to build tools, clothes, and machines.

When a design comes from nature, it often works very well because nature has already tested it.

Animal Parts That Have Jobs

Every body part of an animal does a special job that helps it survive. Here are a few examples.

  • Beaver teeth. Strong front teeth chew wood and dig.
  • Mole paws. Wide claws shovel earth to make tunnels.
  • Duck webbed feet. Paddles for swimming and floating.
  • Gecko toe pads. Tiny hairs grip smooth walls and glass.
  • Polar bear fur. Two thick layers keep body heat inside.
  • Bird wings. Curved feathered wings lift the body in air.

Plant Parts That Have Jobs

Plants do not move or run away, so their parts are shaped to survive where they stand.

  • Lotus leaves. Tiny bumps and wax make rain bead up and roll off.
  • Cactus spines. Sharp needles protect stored water from animals.
  • Seed helicopters. Thin wings spin seeds through air to new ground.
  • Velcro burrs. Tiny hooks stick to fur so seeds ride to new places.

People copied lotus leaves to make self-cleaning paint and copied burrs to invent hook-and-loop tape.

Inventions Inspired by Nature

Many everyday things started as nature ideas.

  • Airplanes. Wing shape copied from birds and bats.
  • Swim fins. Flat paddles copied from duck feet.
  • Climbing gloves. Sticky pads copied from gecko toes.
  • Winter coats. Insulating puffy layers copied from fur and feathers.
  • Bullet trains. Long pointed noses copied from kingfisher beaks for quiet speed.

When you see a problem, ask yourself which animal or plant has already solved it.