Inspiring Engineering in the K12: Biomimicry As a Bridge Between Math and Biology

Abstract The discipline of biomimicry encourages engineers to take design inspiration from the nearly four billion years of research and development since life first appeared on Earth — nature is the greatest engineering designer. Rather than leveraging biomimicry as a discipline unto itself (a worthy approach, regardless), this project explores biomimicry as a tool to inspire K12 students to appreciate math and engineering. We conducted this project in four lesson modules and one lab. In the first module, we presented various types of engineering. In the second, we introduced certain aspects of mathematics from a qualitative perspective. In the third, we discussed the fundamental mathematics that undergirds thermodynamics, although qualitatively and visually. In the fourth, we introduced the students to the world of biomimicry. Then we integrated the mathematics and biomimicry with a laboratory experience in quantitative design, borrowed from an NSF sponsored project. In summary, efforts in biomimicry reside at either the quantitative arena of multi-phase physics, or the qualitative arena of biological interpretations. However, we have used it as a bridge to science, math and engineering.