KS4 Design & Technology - Introduction to biomimetics

This film is from the series Biomimetics - Designed by Nature available on BBC Teach.

Scientists are applying their study of the natural world to the development of exciting new innovations.

Fran Scott shows inspirational examples of man-made products that are interpreting nature’s biological functions.

For example, spiders silk inspiring Kevlar, termite mounds inspiring passive cooling in buildings, whale fins inspiring turbine blades, sea sponges inspiring fibre optics and lotus leaves inspiring self-cleaning paint.

Teacher Notes

This film is a good introduction into biomimetics.

This clip can be used to inspire students and give them reference points for further research.

It shows the process researchers go through to arrive at their innovative design ideas.

Students could take an investigative approach to the natural world around them and apply their design thinking to generate new ideas.

Curriculum Notes

This clip is suitable for GCSE Design and Technology and touches upon topics that appear in AQA, OCR A, EDEXCEL, EDUQAS, WJEC GCSE in England and Wales, and CCEA GCSE in Northern Ireland and SQA National 5 in Scotland.

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