It's time to GO OUTSIDE!
Summer is an AMAZING time to be outside and experience nature, and this summer Biomimicry Chicago would like to invite you to experience nature with us - biomimicry style! Join us in exploring how observing nature's forms, processes and systems helps us discover and love the genius around us.
Why Go Outside?
Summer 2017 iSite Challenges
Biomimicry Chicago Network Examples
Why Go Outside?
Biomimicry is the emulation of life’s forms, processes, and systems into the context of human innovation, and we want everyone in the Biomimicry Chicago network to collectively explore our region and share ideas. Reconnecting with the wild world around us helps us to slow down and recognize the genius in our (literal) backyards. Making it a regular practice opens a whole new world of knowledge and innovative ideas!
Each month, we will be giving you an observational challenge - what biomimics call an “iSite,” where we will ask you to go outside in a natural area by you and observe life’s forms, processes, and systems in context and explore what YOU can learn from nature. This is a FREE program that we are offering to build the biomimicry competency of local practitioners while growing our network, so join us today!
To participate, all you need to do is read the challenge, find a natural area near you, and observe. Complete the exercise and send your sketches, essays, or photos to us at biomimicrychicago@gmail.com and we will compile your entries and showcase them to the Global Biomimicry Network through our website and social media channels.
Summer 2017 iSite Challenges
June’s Challenge: Exploring Life’s Forms
June’s Challenge: Finding Forms in Nature
Integral to the practice of biomimicry is a connection with and respect for life’s organisms and ecosystems. To foster this connection and hone your skills of observation, we ask you to go outside in a natural area (a wildlife preserve, a garden, or even your backyard) and observe nature’s forms. For a portion of the time, just sit and be still. Do not check your phone or record observations at first – just open your eyes and “quiet your cleverness” as Dr. Dayna Baumeister says. Relax, focus on (re)connecting with the world around you, and let your creative juices flow.
When you are ready, consider the following questions:
- Where are you?
- What are you observing?
- What forms do you see that intrigue you?
- Are they examples of well-adapted design? If so, how?
- What design insights does this give you for your own life and work?
- What do you want to learn more about?
We recommend you spend at least 30 minutes outside just observing and then record your observations in a journal entry, blog, video, graphic, sketch or other medium and including a photo or two to remember your experience.
For your reference, below are a couple examples of this iSite, and visit our social media sites for more examples!
Example on Amy's blog
Example on Biomimicry Chicago blog
Exercise adapted from Biomimicry 3.8 Professional Certificate Program iSite with facilitated discussion methods from Technology of Participation by The Institute of Cultural Affairs.
July’s Challenge: Exploring Life’s Processes
July iSite: Finding Nature's Processes
Time: 20-30 minutes
Materials: Clear mind, writing utensil and paper
In biomimicry when we talk about process, we are talking about how something is made - the "manufacturing" processes including chemistry and assembly. Human manufacturing processes often use "heat, beat and treat" - we achieve structure through energy intensive processes at high temperatures with toxic chemistry. In nature, manufacturing processes rely on low temperatures, abundant readily available life-friendly materials, and self-assembly.
For example, photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that converts radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy (sugars) using the abundant materials of carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. Another example is spider silk - a super strong material with a complex structure made with life-friendly green chemistry (aka, digested insects) in the gut of a spider!
As you did for the June iSite, find a comfortable sit spot where you feel close to nature. Observe the world around you for at least 5 minutes before moving onto the exercise.
Sketch, write, photograph or video the processes you observe around you.
- What "manufactured" materials do you observe around you?
- What is the general "manufacturing process"?
- What are the "raw materials" that go into them?
- What is the function being performed ?
- What do you want to learn more about?
Share your July iSite with us via social media or email!
Example "Deciduous trees and the disposable economy" on Biomimicry Chicago's Blog.
August’s Challenge: Exploring Life’s Systems Exploring Systems in Nature (that includes YOU!) Time: 20-30 minutes This month, our iSite challenge is to explore systems we see in nature - and our place in them! Find a comfortable sit spot in a native ecosystem near you and observe the systems around you. If you feel comfortable, try to diagram the interactions you see between organisms within the system. Are they separate from humans or do humans co-exist within them? If so, how? Will this observation influence the way you interact with this place in the future? Take a moment to reflect and share your experiences and observations with us! Sketch, write, photograph, or video the system interactions you observe around you. Send us your observations and we'll give you feedback and showcase your work on our website! Contact us for more information!
Materials: Writing utensil and paper, eyes open to discovering links
