Applications call for Biomimicry Institute Youth Design Challenge (YDC). The Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a free, hands-on, project-based learning experience that provides classroom and informal educators with a new framework to introduce biomimicry and an interdisciplinary approach to science and environmental literacy. Working in teams with an adult coach, students explore the wonders of the natural world and apply what they learn to create innovations that support a healthier planet.

The Youth Design Challenge follows an academic calendar. You can teach the biomimicry project at any time during the year, however, entries to the competition are reviewed once annually in late spring.

Awards

• Problem Definition Award: For systems thinking, thoroughness, and creativity in researching, identifying, and defining a problem to solve.
• Naturalist Award: For comprehensive research into biological models, thorough explanations of their natural history and strategies, and selection of appropriate models to inform the design.
• Design Cycle Award: For perseverance in the iterative design cycle including exploration of multiple design ideas, using creative techniques to test potential solutions, and/or getting feedback from diverse experts and interested community members to inform design revisions.
• Changemaker Award: For an innovative design proposal that could potentially move forward in future research and development and/or would have a significant impact if implemented.
• Storyteller Award: For an engaging presentation of the required application materials that creatively and accurately captures the team’s innovation process and learning journey.

The Challenge

Explore the wonders of the natural world and create a nature-inspired innovation* that addresses climate change by:

• Helping communities adapt to climate change impacts -AND/OR-
• Reversing or slowing the advance of climate change itself.

Eligibility

• The Youth Design Challenge is a team competition for students in middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12).
• A team consists of between two-eight students and one to two adult coaches affiliated with a school, educational organization, or homeschool.

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 climate change adaptation or mitigation.
• Suggestion: work on an issue that affects your local community.
• As a coach, you will guide your students as they study how organisms in nature have adapted to similar problems and challenges and apply what they learn to innovative solutions.
• Final projects can then be entered into the nationwide competition for prizes awarded by the Biomimicry Institute.

Timeline for 2020-21

• Registration Opens: Mid August 2020
• Introductory Webinar: September 24 *Watch Recording*
• Webinar “Digging into the Biomimicry Design Cycle”: November 10 *Watch Recording*
• Registration Deadline: March 1, 2021
• Submission Deadline: April 1, 2021
• Awards: May 2021