Biomimetic Design Module to increase curiosity about nature among first-year students and help them to create connections between nature & engineering solutions

The Biomimetic Design Module is incorporated into the Freshman Design Innovation I course, which is offered in the Fall semesters to roughly 70 first-year students at the University of Toledo, Bioengineering Department. The objective of the Biomimetic Design Module is to increase curiosity about nature among first-year students and help them to create a connection between the solutions offered by nature and engineering solutions.  

The major components of the design process are the ideation, biomimetic design, high- and low-fidelity prototyping, final prototyping (minimum viable product), and business model canvas for the designed product. The Biomimetic Design Module is introduced at Week-3 during the ideation process to inspire them with the solutions offered by nature. The Biomimetic Design module identifies biomimicry as the intersection point of function and strategy. The definition of the function is introduced along with examples within nature. Then, what kind of biological strategies can be used in engineering design are discussed.

At the end of the  Biomimetic Design module, below Skillset Objectives and Entrepreneurial Mindset (EM) Objectives will be achieved.