Discover
Be Inspired by Nature
What do we mean by explore nature?
How will you explore nature? The following steps explain three methods of exploring nature and finding answers to your Research Questions. Each methods asks you to find and focus on an organism of interest.
It is good to use more than one of the three methods described in the steps. For example, spend some time looking outside for inspiration as well as searching the ‘Ask Nature’ website.
It is easy to start thinking about your Design Solution during this step – try to resist and keep an open mind. The more inspiration you can find in nature, the more ideas you will have for your Design Solution. We recommend that you find at least different three Strategies from nature for each of your Functions.
What do I need to do?
Read through each of the three methods for exploring nature. Decide which you wish to use.
For each organism and the Functions you are interested in, complete parts 1 - 3 of the Species Report Card. You will complete part 4 later (Design Principles). You can also use the Observation Star to help you look more deeply at you chosen organisms. Use the information from each Species Report Card to enter the data into the NatEnt Platform ( TASK: Share Your Natural Strategies and Design Principles ).
Here are some examples of completed Species Report Cards. The first example looks at how the design of a dragonfly wing could inspire stronger materials. This could be helpful for Challenges which require strong but light-weight materials.
The second example explore how a beetle copes with hot climates by reflecting light away from its body. This could be helpful for Challenges addressing the impact of global heating.
The third example investigates how cactus protect themselves from heat and prevents the loss of liquids. This could be helpful for Challenges focused on buildings in hot climates.
Check each of your Species Report Cards. Are they clear enough for others to understand your ideas? Can you add pictures or drawings to help with your explanations? Have you provided links to online sources of information you have used?
It is good practice to reference your sources of information. This is especially important if you have used a scientific paper written by others within your own work.
Add your results to the Platform at the TASK: Share Your Natural Strategies and Design Principles page.
Take time to view the ideas from other Teams. What can you learn from them? Can you add any of their ideas to help you? Can you add any of your ideas to help them? Remember to comment on any ideas you like to gain additional credits for your Team.