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Biomimicry in Nature

Activity

How Humans Copy Reptiles and Amphibians to Solve Problems

Find an example of biomimicry engineering by humans. People have engineered a way for humans to jump like a frog, glide like a draco lizard, move like a snake, or use a spring-loaded action like the tongue of a chameleon. Can you find an item designed or engineered using biomimicry of reptiles or amphibians?

Science Seed

Biomimicry is the practice of mimicking adaptations and strategies found in nature to solve human design and engineering problems. One example of biomimicry is non-slip shoe soles, which people have designed based on some of the ways that frogs cling to surfaces. Several types of frogs have long toes with sticky pads at the ends that can suction onto the surface of wet leaves, smooth surfaces, and even allow them to climb upside down. The physics of how the frogs’ sticky pads work was used in designing shoes that need to grip and avoid slipping on smooth surfaces; such as wet floors or polished basketball courts, for example.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.