Nature has been prototyping for 3.8 billion years. Biomimicry — solving human problems by learning from living systems — turns that vast library into a design toolkit. It’s also one of the most engaging ways to get young people inventing, because every idea starts with something they can observe in the real world.
Here are five activities we love at GUILD.
1. The “how would nature solve it?” warm-up
Pick an everyday problem (keeping water clean, staying cool, sticking without glue). Ask students to find an organism that already “solves” it. Geckos, lotus leaves and termite mounds are great starting points.
2. Velcro reverse-engineering
Velcro was inspired by burrs catching on fur. Give students burrs (or images), a magnifier, and let them work out why they stick — then sketch a new fastener of their own.
3. Cooling without electricity
Study how termite mounds stay cool, then challenge teams to design a passive-cooling shelter from simple materials. Test which design holds temperature best.
4. Floating gardens (chinampas)
Inspired by wetland ecosystems, students build small floating planters and explore how nature grows food sustainably on water — a favourite in our learning journeys.
5. Water-rocket aerodynamics
Look at how seeds and birds move through air, then design fins for a water rocket. Build, launch, measure, improve — the full invention cycle in an afternoon.
Why biomimicry fits WISE
Biomimicry naturally embodies sustainability (designing within nature’s limits) and sparks entrepreneurship (turning observation into invention), all while keeping learning joyful and inclusive. It’s a cornerstone of how GUILD grows grounded innovators.
Want to try it with a mentor? Explore Spark Workshops or book a free taster.