Apply for Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge

Deadline: 28 March 2024

The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is a flexible project-based learning experience—and competition—in which students take on the role of biomimicry innovators and imagine solutions to critical real-world problems.

It was created by the Biomimicry Institute to introduce middle and high school students to the rapidly growing field of bioinspired innovation while enhancing STEM education and essential life and career skills including collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving.

The Challenge and accompanying instructional resources are designed to be incorporated into existing STEM coursework, but it can also be approached as a student capstone project, or extracurricular activity in a student club or other out-of-school program. The challenge project is fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and includes a recommended Instructional Storyline that educators can adapt to suit their needs.

Categories

Entries to the competition are judged once annually and prizes are awarded in two grade level categories:
- Middle school (6th-8th) and
- High school (9th-12th).

Prize Information

Projects selected for awards will receive:
- Recognition on the Youth Design Challenge website, on the Biomimicry Institute website, and in media and outreach.
- An award certificate for each member of the winning team.

Eligibility Criteria

The Challenge is open to middle and high school students (US equivalent grades 6th-12th).
Students may participate as individuals or as part of a group to form the team. A team consists of the individual or 2- 8 student team members with 1 or 2 adult COACHES who will communicate with the Institute 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.).
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.
Entries must be submitted in English and received via the Challenge website by the posted deadline.

Submission Requirements

Entries must employ biomimicry (nature inspired innovation) in addressing a social and/or environmental issue that is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Entries must consist of the following:
- All submission materials will be typed or saved as a PDF and uploaded to the online submission form.
  - Project Overview: Teams must supply for specific page requirements.
  - Project Image: A drawing, diagram, or photograph (with a caption) that clearly portrays the design solution. This image will be displayed in a gallery of submissions on the Challenge website. The image must be provided in JPG file format and no smaller than 1500px by 1000px. To display well in the gallery the image should be in landscape (horizontal) format.
  - Team Photo: An image depicting all team members and (optionally) their coach(es). This image will be displayed in a gallery of submissions on the Challenge website. The image must be provided in JPG file format, and no smaller than 600px by 400px.