Three billion years of evolution can’t be wrong and scientists are observing Nature’s own adaptations to find solutions to human problems. This relatively new field of Biology is called Biomimetics and Biologists have been investigating its application to fabric development, new structural materials, even behaviour in organisations and education. Researchers will meet to present their latest progress at the Society for Experimental Biology’s Annual Main Meeting in Glasgow (31st March – 4th April 2007).
Biomimetics applied to Education and Knowledge Transfer
The interdisciplinary nature of Biomimetics, which can combine natural sciences, engineering, architecture and design is being used for the first time in German schools to promote the value of knowledge transfer and life-long learning. By introducing modules which teach the use of Biomimetic product development, students are also exposed to the concept of incorporating scientific, social, economic and ecological aspects. In this way, scientists aim to expose students to a holistic approach to teaching science, rather than teaching each subject in isolation and to increase their understanding of interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer. Dr Thomas Speck (University of Freiburg, Germany) will show how his research on the Technical Plant Stem* and the theoretical background in its development may be used to teach students from primary level up to A-level on Wednesday 4th April.