Biomimicry excursion – Royal Botanical Gardens

Taylors Lakes Secondary College had the pleasure of sending 30 selected students to the Royal Botanical Gardens to learn how natural processes can be applied to technology and design in science and beyond. 

Our students demonstrated excellent thinking skills and enthusiasm for their learning throughout the whole experience. They were excellent ambassadors for our school. The Students were accompanied by Ms Tonna, Science Teacher and Ms Lelekakis, Instructional Practice Leader.  Included here are some student reflections of their learning.

Biomimicry Student reflections.

On the 7th of May, we went out to the Royal Botanical Gardens for an extension program in which we immersed ourselves within nature and how Indigenous people within Australia used natural resources to create more sustainable objects. Despite the rainy weather, we went on a walk to explore nature, ask questions about why certain plants have different characteristics and how it might help them survive in the wild. We also learnt the definition of Biomimicry, meaning objects designed to imitate nature’s design and processes to help solve human problems, we then put our learning into use and designed innovative items which mimicked nature’s specialities. 

Overall, the experience was a once in a lifetime and I feel very honoured to be able to attend it. -Harseerat 8J

On Thursday the 7th, I attended the Biomimicry Excursion at the Royal Botanical Garden. This excursion was very enjoyable; we learnt about biomimicry, which is mimicking nature and how it works through man-made things! We explored nature through the gardens, forging wonderings and questions about nature and its functions. 

We studied the Banksia, a plant native to Australia. We observed its functions in nature; the flowers were bright yellow and spiky, serving for both attracting and protecting, and when the flower was dead, there were pods with small seeds with wax, which liquified in the heat and hardened to protect the seeds inside each pod. At the end of the day, we presented our findings, as well as creating our own biomimicry product based on the functions of the Banksia. Overall, I learnt new things, had an amazing experience, and connected with students who have the same wonders as me. 

Lilyann 8J

An excursion held on the 7th of May allowed students from year levels 7-9 the opportunity to learn about biomimicry, its meaning and examples of biomimicry in nature at the Royal Botanical gardens. During the excursion we walked around the gardens observing plants and their connections to modern innovation, like how the point of bullet trains are inspired by the kingfisher bird preventing sound pollution or how the leaves on a tree spiral similarly to the Fibonacci sequence. 

The kind staff at the gardens guided us through the gardens introducing us to many amazing plants and activities allowing us to connect and collaborate especially when designing and developing our own ideas using biomimicry. Despite the heavy rain and harsh weather, the excursion was overall very fun and interesting, and we had an amazing time.

Chloe