Biomimicry

Self Watering Garden

Up to 600 Points

Audience: Grade Level: 6-12

Community Partner: Mission of Mary

Contact us HERE to request community partner's support.

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Design a self-watering school garden inspired by nature's genius! This project can address water conservation, student engagement, and learning about biomimicry principles.

BIOMIMICRY INSPIRATION:

Water Storage and Transport: Cacti store water in their stems, pine needles collect and channel dew, pitcher plants have built-in reservoirs.

Water Absorption and Distribution: Plant roots absorb water efficiently, capillary action draws water upwards, leaf veins distribute water throughout the plant.

Regulation and Control: Stomata on leaves open and close to regulate water loss, some plants adjust flower blooming based on moisture levels.

DESIGN VARIATIONS BY GRADE LEVEL:

Grades 6-8: Design simpler systems like wicking beds using recycled materials, bottle irrigation systems, or rain barrel collection for watering.

Grades 9-12: Explore more complex designs like capillary mat systems, sub-irrigation with perforated pipes, or automated sensors for monitoring and adjusting watering based on plant needs.

POSSIBLE BIOMIMICRY SOLUTIONS:

Wicking beds: Inspired by plant root systems, use layers of gravel and soil with wicks to draw water from a reservoir below.

Porous materials: Use terracotta pots or coir planters that slowly release water as the soil dries out.

Self-watering planters: Design planters with double chambers, where the upper one holds soil and the lower one acts as a water reservoir with controlled access.

Rainwater harvesting: Collect rainwater in barrels or underground cisterns to use for irrigation.

Mulch layer: Mimic forest floors with a layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

ADDITIONAL IDEAS:

Integrate the garden into the school building design, using rainwater from roofs or greywater for irrigation.

Create a learning space within the garden with benches, signage explaining biomimicry principles, and interactive elements.

Design the garden to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to the local ecosystem.

Use recycled materials and sustainable practices throughout the project.

ENCOURAGE:

Research different biomimicry examples related to water management and plant growth.

Sketch and model different design ideas, considering functionality, aesthetics, and cost-effectiveness.

Present the final design to the school community, explaining the biomimicry inspiration and potential benefits.

This biomimicry self-watering garden design challenge can be a rewarding learning experience for students, promoting environmental awareness, creativity, and problem-solving skills. 

Deliverables

You can write an essay, create a model and upload pictures to  the website, or create a short video of your work. Choose any method to relay your design to us.

Bugtastic Home

Up to 600 Points

Audience: Grade Level 3-8

Community Partner: N/A

Contact us HERE to request community partner's support.

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Build a Bugtastcic Home!

Termite mounds are like tiny cities for bugs! They're built with amazing features that keep the termites cool and comfy, even in the hottest weather. These mounds have:

Tunnels and chambers: These winding pathways let air flow through, keeping things fresh and breezy.

Thick walls: Made from earth and special saliva, these walls act like insulation, keeping the inside cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Sunshades and vents: Clever overhangs and openings help shade the mound from the hot sun and let out hot air.

THE CHALLENGE: Imagine you're a tiny bug building your dream home. Inspired by the genius of termite mounds, design and build a Bugtastic Home that's cool, cozy, and full of surprises!

THE PROCESS:

1. Gather your building supplies: You can use recycled materials like cardboard boxes, paper tubes, leaves, twigs, and even clay!

2. Sketch your Bugtastic Home: Draw a picture or make a model to show how your home will look. Think about tunnels, chambers, walls, sunshades, and any other cool features you want to add.

3. Building time!: Use your imagination and creativity to bring your Bugtastic Home to life! You can glue, tape, paint, or decorate your creation in any way you like.

4. Presentation time!: Once your Bugtastic Home is ready, share it with your friends, family, or even your class! Explain how your home uses termite-inspired features to stay cool and comfortable.

BONUS POINTS FOR:

Using recycled materials.

Adding fun and creative details to your home.

Sharing your Bugtastic Home with others and explaining your design choices.

REMEMBER:

There's no right or wrong way to build a Bugtastic Home! Be creative and have fun!

Use your imagination and think about how termites keep their homes cool and cozy.

The most important thing is to learn and have fun while exploring the amazing world of biomimicry!

Deliverables

You can write an essay, create a model and upload pictures to  the website, or create a short video of your work. Choose any method to relay your design to us.

Winning designs will be  displayed at the Awards Ceremony.

SMOOTH HIGHWAY

Up to 600 Points

Audience: Grade Level: 6-12

Community Partner: N/A

Contact us HERE to request community partner's support.

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Traffic jams are a major headache in our cities, wasting time, fuel, and causing stress. But ants, those tiny creatures, manage to move massive amounts of food without ever getting stuck! Can you, inspired by the secrets of ant behavior, design a solution to prevent or manage traffic congestion in your city?

BIOMIMICRY INSPIRATION:

Swarm Intelligence: Ants use pheromone trails to communicate and optimize their movement, avoiding bottlenecks and finding the fastest routes.

Decentralized Decision-Making: Individual ants make decisions based on local information, adapting to changing conditions without needing a central authority.

Self-Organizing Traffic Flow: Ants maintain a constant flow by adjusting their speed and spacing, preventing stop-and-go situations.

CHALLENGE STEPS:

1. Research: Learn about ant behavior, focusing on their traffic management strategies. Explore resources like the AskNature database, National Geographic documentaries, or scientific research papers.

2. Brainstorming: In teams, discuss and sketch out possible solutions inspired by ant behavior. Think about infrastructure changes, traffic light systems, communication technologies, or even educational campaigns.

3. Prototyping: Choose the most promising idea and develop a prototype. This could be a physical model, a computer simulation, or a detailed plan with diagrams and explanations.

4. Presentation: Prepare a presentation explaining your solution, its inspiration from ants, and its potential impact on traffic congestion. Highlight the advantages over existing solutions and address any challenges.

BONUS POINTS:

Addressing environmental sustainability in your solution.

Considering the needs of different types of transportation (cars, bikes, pedestrians).

Incorporating technology and data analysis for real-time traffic management.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS (TO INSPIRE BRAINSTORMING):

Adaptive Traffic Lights: Inspired by ant pheromones, these lights could adjust timing based on real-time traffic flow and dynamically create "green waves" for optimal vehicle movement.

Decentralized Navigation System: A system mimicking ant communication could guide drivers to the fastest routes, avoiding congested areas and optimizing overall traffic flow.

Micro-Lane Management: Inspired by ant spacing, dynamic lane markings could adjust to the number of vehicles, maximizing road capacity and preventing bottlenecks.

Incentive System for Carpooling: Similar to ant cooperation, rewarding carpooling and shared mobility could encourage efficient use of vehicles and reduce traffic volume.

Deliverables

You can write an essay, create a model and upload pictures to  the website, or create a short video of your work. Choose any method to relay your design to us.