Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet (Orca Footprints)

by Megan Clendenan (Author)

Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet (Orca Footprints)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Orca Footprints

Did you know that lamps can be powered by glowing bacteria instead of electricity? That gloves designed like gecko feet let people climb straight up glass walls? Or that kids are finding ways to make compostable plastic out of banana peels? Biomimicry, the scientific term for when we learn from and copy nature, is a revolutionary way to look to nature for answers to environmental problems such as climate change.

In Design Like Nature young readers discover innovations and inventions inspired by the environment. Nature runs the entire planet with no waste and no pollution. Can humans learn to do this too? It's time to step outside and start designing like nature.

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$21.95

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Kirkus

This fascinating topic deserves depth to match its breadth.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4-7--This fascinating title takes a deep dive into the wonders of nature. Four chapters are featured: "Inventions Gone Wild," "Nature As Engineer," "Asking Advice from Nature," and "Reducing Our Footprint." The text makes connections between familiar items, such as comparing the materials in a child's cocoa mug to the space shuttle's super-tough ceramic. There are surprising facts: Synthetic fibers won't decompose for 20 to 200 years and a plastic drinking straw will last 500 years or longer. Readers learn the history of how items were made with natural materials. For example, in Roman times, purple dye was made from snail slime, which was left out in the sun until it turned purple. Present applications of materials are also explained, and the text indicates that there is much more to discover. Readers might have a future job in biomimicry that doesn't currently exist. Color photos complement the text and depict white and BIPOC children. The back matter includes resources (print, online, and TED Talks), a glossary, and an index. VERDICT An appealing resource sure to spark an interest in biomimicry, from casual readers to budding scientists. Recommended for all libraries.--Helen Foster James, Univ. of California at San Diego

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"An essential STEM resource. Highly Recommended."— "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781459824645
Lexile Measure
1050
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Orca Book Publishers
Publication date
March 16, 2021
Series
Orca Footprints
BISAC categories
JNF061010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | Inventions
JNF051100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Science & Ecosystems
JNF037020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection
JNF051170 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Discoveries
Library of Congress categories
Technological innovations
Biomimicry

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