Biomimicry-Based Design Solutions to Everyday Life Problems by 5th Grade Middle School Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enable middle school students to solve a problem they identify in daily life by drawing inspiration from the structures of a chosen living organism and to develop original designs for this solution. The study sample consisted of 19 fifth-grade students (9girls and 10 boys), 9 girls and 10 boys, attending a village school. The students divided into 10 groups of 1, 2, or 3 members, and each group was asked to to draw their own designs. As data collection tools, , a nature trip observation sheet and a design process evaluation questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions were used. The data obtained were analyzed using content analysis. It is observed that the students drew inspiration from 9 different living things to solve a problem from daily life that they identified with their groupmates. The drawings made by the students grouped into 4 different categories: “protection,” “clothing,” “security,” and “cleaning. When the designs of the student groups were examined, it was seen that they generally imitated the structure and function of the living things that inspired them. Furthermore, it was determined that all students drew inspiration from animals in their designs. It was also observed that the majority of students defined the concept of biomimicry as invention and design, that they expressed the greatest difficulty in the design process, and that they received help from family and friends to overcome the difficulties they encountered.