A quick review of biomimicry, created for curious minds who may be interested in a design approach that uses nature as its guiding influence. Butterflys, bees, owls and whales all play a part in solving difficult engineering and scientific problems. This was created by staff at CuriOdyssey, a children's serious science playground. We treat kids like the geniuses they are. We let kids loose to observe wild animals, experiment with scientific phenomenon and let the natural world answer their questions. Because learning to think like a scientist early on gives them the tools they'll need to take on the real-world challenges of the future.

1. I T ’ S A W O N D E R F U L W O R L D F O R C U R I O U S M I N D S
C U R I O DY S S E Y
A Quick Review of Biomimcry

2. What is
biomimicry?
Watch this
kid-friendly
video to find
out: “Nature
Is Smarter
than Us”.

3. Bio Mimicry: An
Example
This wind turbine is
designed based on the
lead flipper of a
humpback whale. The
bumps cause water to
flow over the flippers
more smoothly, giving
the giant mammal the
ability to swim more
easily through the
water.
Even better, the
discovery was made by
a gentleman, called
Frank Fish.

4. Read all about it
Biomimicry:
Innovation
Inspired by
Nature
Janine M.
Benyus
The Shark’s
Paintbrush
Biomimicry and
How Nature is
Inspiring
Innovation
Jay Harman
Bulletproof Feathers
Robert Allen

5. Curious about
how a scientist
gleans ideas from
animals and
insects?
Andrew Parker has
investigated
iridescence in
butterflies and beetles
and antireflective
coatings in moth eyes—
studies that have led to
brighter screens for
cellular phones and an
anti-counterfeiting
technique so secret he
cannot say which
company is behind it.

6. Janine Benyus
Want more information?
Then check out Janine
Benyus’ TedTalk and
website to find out how
engineers are using bio -
mimicry to influence
their designs. She is the
leading expert in the
field.

7. Owls and Silent
Flight:
For most birds and
planes, flight is a noisy
affair of flapping wings
and loud engines, but
not for owls.
They have the ability
for silent flight.
Aeronautical engineers
are studying these
raptors to determine
how they can drop the
noise level of our flying
machines.
Imagine a silent flyover
by the Blue Angels…

8. Interested in Science & Animals?
Visit CuriOdyssey to experience a serious science
playground bursting with science exhibits and to learn
and see California native animals.