Deadline:
January 31, 2025
Location(s)
Online
Overview
People have goals. Nature has paths.
At its core, biomimicry is about imitating the hows and whys of nature’s systems. Learning from the kaleidoscopic array of organisms with which we share the planet not only makes our own experiences more vibrant, it can offer insights into seemingly intractable problems.
Since 2018, the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge has built a community of young people, educators, and biomimicry researchers looking to nature for inspiration, for hope, and for the technical genius necessary to create a healthier, happier planet.
Now, it’s your turn.
Details
About the Challenge
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (BYDC) is a project-based learning experience that asks middle and high school teams to design bio-inspired ideas that can provide solutions to critical real-world problems. It provides a framework for formal and informal educators to introduce biomimicry as an engineering design strategy, to integrate relevant purposeful STEM experiences, and to provide engaging instruction aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The project and curriculum were developed by The Biomimicry Institute. Beginning with the 2025 BYDC, the program is part of the POCACITO Network.
TIMELINE:
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (BYDC) takes place the first half of the calendar year. The biomimicry curriculum is always available.
ANTICIPATED BYDC TIMELINE FOR 2025
- Registration Opens: Dec. 1, 2024
- Registration Deadline: Jan. 31, 2025
- Submission Deadline: June 1, 2025
- Exhibition and Awards: June 2025
WHAT WILL YOUR TEAM DO?
Your team will take on the role of innovators and work together to apply biomimicry (nature-inspired innovation) to address a social and/or environmental issue related to a chosen Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Suggestion: think locally!
As a coach, you will guide your students as they study how organisms in nature have adapted to similar problems and challenges, and you will support them in applying what they learn to innovative solutions. Final projects can then be entered into the online exhibition and awarded prizes.
HOW DOES THE CHALLENGE MEET INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS?
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for both middle school and high school. Full alignments can be downloaded below.
- NGSS Alignment for High School
- NGSS Alignment for Middle School
- NGSS Alignment for UN Sustainable Development Goals
CURRICULUM & TRAINING
Prior experience with biomimicry is not required to participate in the BYDC. A variety of resources and online training opportunities are provided to help you support your students, including full use of all of the MIMIC lesson plans.
After you register your team for the 2025 BYDC, POCACITO will connect you with a mentor, a subject-matter expert who can help you and your team research, develop, and present your biomimicry solutions.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
ELIGIBILITY:
The BYDC is a team competition for students in middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). A team consists of two to eight students and one adult coach affiliated with a school, educational organization, or homeschool. Please refer to the Official Rules for complete eligibility details.
Dates
Deadline: January 31, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
