Grade 7's learning from nature

I learned that nature has various elements that can be mimicked
in order to improve our world so that it has greater sustainability.
–Grade 7 Student Participant

In February, ‘biomimicry’ came to life on Dover campus. Over the course of a four day interdisciplinary workshop, 270
Grade 7 students participated in UWCSEA MIMIC MAKERS, an immersive biomimicry learning event. Students learned why
nature is an important tool when attempting to solve everyday problems, and explored creative, nature-based solutions to
sustainable problem solving.

Through guided thinking, teamwork, and support from guest speakers and workshop leaders, students were asked to identify
a problem and unpack it by applying biomimetic connections and using systems thinking. Working collaboratively in teams, students planned story maps to investigate workable solutions before tackling and prototyping their biomimetic design solutions. Experts, such as Stephane Laserre of B+H Architects, supported students’ learning by sharing models of his work in Singapore. Laserre brought a portable farm onto campus to demonstrate to students directly how small environments can mimic larger ecosystems to support plant growth.

The workshop culminated in a full day exhibition where the community was invited to see the designs and share feedback. One
creative design included developing an anti-slip paving tile inspired by frogs. Another team design included a water filtration
system inspired by Atlantic Menhaden and oysters. The five winning teams had the opportunity to enter their designs into the
Singapore Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge.

Next year, Dover’s team hopes to inspire more biomimicry learning inside and outside the classroom, and expand the impact of
this creative sustainable thinking across the community.