These activities, aimed at primary children, link to aspects of design and technology and literacy. Children follow recipes to make a variety of food for birds including pine cone lardy seed feeders, suet nut log and edible pictures.

This activity is part of the...

Aimed at primary, this resource provides activities which support aspects of literacy, art and D&T in the context of the identification of birds. Children follow instructions to colour, cut and fold templates to make ‘bird snappers’ for thirteen different birds.

The resource also includes a blank poster...

Aimed at primary level, this pack contains a range of different activities based on the theme of Earth. The activities cover a mixture of topics including: identifying plants and animals, habitats and food webs. Designed for use in class or as part of a science week or club, they promote investigative work and...

A Catalyst article describing how new materials can be designed by studying natural materials and how they work. In particular the development of Velcro, military fabric, swimwear and waterproofing is looked at. These products were developed by scientific study of natural products such as plant burrs, pinecones,...

This resource looks at how biomimicry enables engineers to take ideas from the natural world to develop new products and designs. The specific example of gecko tape is used to illustrate this. Students play a game of pairs where they need to match technology with the animal or plant which inspired its development....

The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the transfer of ideas, designs, and strategies from biology to sustainable design. The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute’s programmes aim to broaden and deepen teachers’ knowledge of biomimicry and facilitate the integration of biomimicry into the...

This resource was developed by a STEM Ambassador, working with St Bonaventure’s School. It looks at how the natural world has inspired design. Student research and developed ideas for their biomimicry-based modes of transport, and modelled them.
Students then presented their ideas and models, explaining how...

A collection of resources to support teaching the principles of biomimicry in design and engineering.

The Bionic Boy resources take inspiration from the Born to Engineer video from Ben Ryan, who is working to develop low-cost 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for young children and babies. Through discussion and practical activity, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of engineering through...

This activity from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a quick, engaging introduction to a lesson looking at the properties of modern materials. It encourages students to think about how technology is changing our society.

From the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), these two podcasts explore a range of applications and issues in the biorenewables sector. They are primarily aimed at a commercial audience but may be of use to teachers who want to gain a better understanding of plant-derived materials or, when used in part, as...

This resource, from the Association for Science Education (ASE), contains a number of recipes for making fermented soft drinks and some suggestions about how students could explore the science involved in making them.

The predecessors of modern carbonated drinks were often made at home or on a small scale....

This Licence to Cook practical session is about baking biscuits, both savoury and sweet. During the session, students will make either Cheese straws or ANZAC biscuits.

The session aims to improve students’ knowledge of flour based products and act as a reminder for the safe use of the cooker. It can be used...

This short film from the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP) is one of a series of clips which were produced to demonstrate the properties and use of a range of smart materials.

Black light pigments are microencapsulated materials that are specifically formulated to absorb UV radiation at the near-...