Deadline: December 31, 2024
Applications are open for the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge 2025. The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (BYDC) is a free, hands-on, project-based learning experience that provides classroom and informal educators with a framework for introducing biomimicry and an interdisciplinary approach to science and environmental literacy. Working in teams supported by an adult coach and subject-matter experts, students explore the wonders of the natural world and apply what they learn to create innovations in support of a healthier planet.
Design Brief
Design Brief: Solutions to a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
Your Challenge
Explore the wonders of the natural world and create a nature-inspired innovation that addresses any global or local problem by: Helping communities solve a local challenge AND/OR reversing/slowing the advancement of an issue that is negatively impacting the community.
- An innovation may include the design of a physical technology, a process, or a system. Basically, any new approach for how people can do things. Demonstrate originality either by proposing an entirely new solution or offering novel improvements on existing ideas.
The Problem
Our impact on the environment is destabilizing, and our hunger for energy, materials, and other resources is fast expanding, resulting in mounting negative consequences to the planet and billions of people. To avoid the worst consequences of our unsustainably designed products, systems, and processes, we must find ways to learn how to design more sustainably. The good news is that our planet’s biodiversity offers an array of possible solutions that are just waiting to be discovered!
What Will Your Team Do?
Your team will take on the role of innovators and work together to apply biomimicry (nature-inspired innovation) to address a social and/or environmental issue related to a chosen Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Suggestion: think locally!
As a coach, you will guide your students as they study how organisms in nature have adapted to similar problems and challenges, and you will support them in applying what they learn to innovative solutions. Final projects can then be entered into the online exhibition and awarded prizes.
Eligibility
- Open to middle and high school students (US equivalent grades 6th-12th).
- A TEAM consists of the individual or 2 – 8 student team members with at least one adult COACH who will communicate with POCACITO on behalf of the team. No student may be on more than one Team, however coaches may advise multiple teams.
- TEAMS and COACHES must be affiliated with a public school, private school, registered homeschool, or a legally recognized organization (such as a museum, nature center, after school program, youth agency, etc.). If you do not fall into these categories, contact [email protected] before registering in this case.
- Coaches may be educators, volunteers, or parents/guardians working with the Team’s affiliated organization. Coaches must be age 18 or older.
- TEAMS may be composed of students from assorted grades, however if any team member is in grade 9th-12th (high school) that team must compete in the high school category.
- They accept entries from schools outside the US.
Submission Requirements
Entries are submitted online and include the following elements:
- Written project overview
- Project image
- Video pitch
- Project portfolio
- Team photo
Application
Coaches can register their teams of two to eight students here. Only coaches may register a team. Beginning December 2, coaches will be invited to the BYDC platform, where they will create their team profiles and can connect with other participating educators.
For more information, visit Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge.
