Biomimicry & How Nature Influences Invention

July 12-16; 1-4 p.m.

Grades 2-5; $150

Did you know that tree limbs and snail shells have inspired building designs? Or that when inventors wanted to build robots that could explore inside shipwrecks, they modeled them after sea turtles? Were you aware that designers were able to make faster bike tires by studying whale fins? Taking ideas from nature is called biomimicry. We will spend the week learning how nature has inspired the design of buildings, cars, furniture –  and even clothing. We’ll also identify problems we face in everyday life and try to solve them with our own nature-inspired inventions.