Close

Get nature-inspired innovation delivered to your inbox!

  • Testing Slide

    Harness the intelligence found in nature

    Using its 3.8 billion years of R&D.

    Our Innovation Services help businesses explore new opportunities, solve problems and drive sustainability by tapping into nature’s genius.

    Read more
  • Powerful Tools

    Reinvigorate your innovation process

    powerful tools to grow professionally

    Our Professional Education Workshops give you the knowledge and tools for solving problems and building teams using nature's time-tested principles.

    Read more

Professional EducationAccelerate the adoption, integration and application of biomimicry into your organization.
Educator Academies & Programs Academies train PK-12 educators and our Community Programs are perfect for any group.
Innovation Services Bring our GL Biomimicry Innovation Playbook™ to your design and problem-solving processes.

Biomimicry gives Nottingham Spirk a whole new way to approach brainstorming and product development while solving design and engineering problems. Nature is so vast, we will never run out of possible inspirations. Now, the first question that we ask in our innovation process is, 'How would nature handle this issue?'

John Nottingham, Co-President

Nottingham Spirk
View More Testimonials

Workshops for Organizations & Businesses

Value of Biomimicry

This 2.5-hour introductory session exposes participants to the concept of biomimicry, diverse examples, the quantitative and qualitative value of implementation, resources, and options for building capacity with Great Lakes Biomimicry. The format is lecture broken up by reinforcing group activities. This workshop can be customized to your needs and is typically delivered it at your place of work.  

Upcoming Workshops: Custom sessions and dates are held at your organization. Inquire for details.

Learn More

Fundamentals of Biomimicry

This workshop introduces professionals to principles and practices that drive innovation inspired by nature. Participants begin to understand biomimicry design methodology, compare system design principles in natural and mechanical systems, and discover ways to create shared value for their organizations and society.

Upcoming Workshops: Custom sessions and dates are held at your organization. Inquire for details.

Learn More

Organizations as Living Systems

Led by the TimeZero team, this three-day workshop introduces professionals to a biomimetic Living Systems Approach for designing, developing and leading organizations in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world. The approach helps organizations enhance resilience, become more agile and adaptive, and address the many challenges they face today, including increasing productivity and engagement.

Contact us for information on upcoming workshops: [email protected]. 
 
Learn More

Biomimicry Design Lab

This 8-session technical training and practice prepares participants to lead the adoption and practice of biomimicry to spur innovation in their organization. Completion of our Fundamentals of Biomimicry workshop or equivalent training is required.

Upcoming Workshop: Workshops will be scheduled throughout the year based on demand. Inquire for details or to get on our waiting list.

Learn More

Educator Academies

Our Biomimicry Educator Academies give PK-12 educators the knowledge and tools needed to use biomimicry in the classroom and during community programs.

Biomimicry Immersion Workshop

PK-12 educators: Over four days, learn the fundamentals of biomimicry and how to use it to support curriculum. Discover how to develop lessons that bridge STEM disciplines, humanities and the arts. Empower learners to innovate for a healthier future, and get students outside doing meaningful work. Strengthen your use of problem-based learning, backwards curriculum design, culturally-responsive teaching, and gamified and hands-on activities.

Learn More

Foundations of Biomimicry Workshop

What can we learn from a wood frog or a wetland? What happens when we begin to see nature as a teacher and a source of innovative solutions to the design challenges we face? This three-hour workshop offers an introduction to the emerging field of biomimicry. Participants will be introduced to tools and resources and will experience sample lessons that inspire creativity in students as they look at nature through the eyes of architects, engineers and designers.

Learn More

Foundations of Biomimicry Workshop: Customized

Interested in our Foundations of Biomimicry workshop, but want something even more closely tailored to meet your curriculum or program goals? We will customize a session that deepens your understanding and skills in the areas that you need most.

Learn More

Introduction to Biomimicry for Students

This 50-minute interactive presentation ignites students’ interest in biomimicry and design. Students learn about amazing innovations that have resulted from biomimicry and practice the core skills of a biomimic -- identifying function and translating biological strategies into engineering or design principles. This presentation is suitable for grades 4 through adult, and for audiences of up to 60 people.

Learn More

Introduction to Biomimicry for Students with Design Challenge

Start with our interactive biomimicry presentation, and then have your students put their new-found knowledge and skills to work by tackling a mini design challenge. Choose from one of two challenge options: Staying Cool Without Air Conditioning or Managing Stormwater in Urban Environments. The challenge concludes with students sharing their design concepts and drawings with the group.

Learn More

Community Programs

Our Community Programs are for general audiences and spark interest in the emerging field of biomimicry. Get your group inspired and looking at the world through a whole new lens -- one that’s inspired by nature!

About Biomimicry and Great Lakes Biomimicry

People of all backgrounds will learn about the emerging field of biomimicry and how Great Lakes Biomimicry is helping to make Northeast Ohio the global hub of biomimicry activities in education, business and innovation.

Learn More

Introduction to Biomimicry

Perfect for general audiences, this 50-minute interactive presentation ignites interest in biomimicry and design. Participants will learn about the amazing innovations that have resulted from biomimicry and will practice the core skills of a biomimic -- identifying function and translating biological strategies into engineering or design principles. This presentation is suitable for age 10 through adult, and for audiences of up to 60 people.

Learn More

Interactive Biomimicry Design Challenge

Start with our interactive presentation introducing biomimicry, and then put your new-found knowledge and skills to work by tackling a mini design challenge. Choose from one of two challenge options: Staying Cool Without Air Conditioning or Managing Stormwater in Urban Environments. The challenge concludes with participants sharing their design concepts and drawings with the group.

Learn More

Innovation Services

Using the Great Lakes Biomimicry Innovation Playbook™, our team works with clients to deliver an innovation strategy and solutions based on 3.8 billion years of nature's R&D. Our Innovation Services help businesses explore new opportunities, solve problems and drive sustainability. In this multi-month collaboration, you work side-by-side with Great Lakes Biomimicry and The University of Akron’s Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center to uncover potential solutions to a product, process or systemic challenge you are facing. Additionally, your team learns the biomimicry process and can take it to future innovation challenges and teach others in your organization.

Download the full Innovation PlaybookTM here.

Contact us to learn more: [email protected] or 216-233-1694.

Biomimicry forces us to think differently. We’re now looking at problems we haven’t been able to solve with other traditional methods.

Teresa Wagner, Director, Roofing Science & Technology

Owens Corning