Science and Children—July/August 2023

Volume 60, Number 6
July/August 2023
We’ve all wondered how a seemingly fragile spiderweb can be both delicate and unbreakable, or how a small frog can effortlessly cling to a glass window. When we slow down to observe nature and see what is going on, we can discover all kinds of unique adaptations and processes at work. It reminds us that nature has been at it for a long time, and we can learn much from its beauty and simplicity just by observing. Biomimicry is a powerful approach to designing and engineering sustainable solutions by taking inspiration from nature. It involves studying and reflecting on natural systems, structures, and processes to create innovative technologies and designs that are efficient, resilient, and compatible with the environment.
Journal Article
Go Ahead—Mimic Me: How Plants and Animals Inspire Inventions and Design
By Christine Anne Royce
Journal Article
By Samantha Richar, Arianna Pikus, Marisol Massó, Maggie Demarse, Amelia Gotwals, Tanya Wright, and Amber Bismack
Journal Article
Solutions-Focused Sustainable Development Education Through Biomimicry
By Danielle Harlow, Devon Azzam, Julie Bianchini, and Karin Lohwasser
Journal Article
Using Force and Motion Concepts to Achieve a Hole in One
By Heidi Masters, Kylee Plants, Elizabeth Sutton, and Rebecca Mitchell
Journal Article
Q: How can I convey the very long times involved in the history of the Earth and life on Earth?
By Matt Bobrowsky