Integration of biomimicry into science education: Biomimicry teaching approach

Journal Of Biological Education, cilt.55, sa.1, ss.1-25, 2021 (SCI İndekslerine Giren Dergi)

This study aims to integrate biomimicry into science education by proposing a teaching

approach for primary school students. Action research approach as the qualitative

research method was used. The developed “Biomimicry Teaching Approach” was

applied in a 5 th grade classroom the researcher teaches in a public school in Turkey.

According to this approach, the students firstly were presented with different kinds of

organisms in order to develop the ability to observe organisms and make a relationship

between structure and function. Secondly, they were introduced to biomimicry concept

with several examples. Finally, the students were engaged with “Biomimicry Design

Model”. At the end of the biomimicry lessons, the students designed their models

through drawing and modeling inspired by the organisms. The effects of “Biomimicry

Teaching Approach” on student designs were analysed. Results showed that the 5 th

grade students mostly produced their own design ideas inspired by the organisms which

were presented throughout the biomimicry lessons. The students’ attempts to create

different designs by taking inspiration from the organisms in nature and considering the

function behind the physical structure of the organisms showed that students can

produce creative and applicable design ideas inspired by nature when they are

introduced biomimicry through “Biomimicry Teaching Approach”.

Keywords: Biomimicry; nature inspired design; Biomimicry Teaching Approach;