Biomimicry Innovation as a Tool for Design
Terri Lynch-Caris, Jonathan Weaver, Darrell Kleinke
Abstract
Abstract Biomimicry Innovation as a Tool for Design In this paper, Problem-‐Based Learning (PBL) was employed to apply the ideas of innovation and biomimicry to ergonomics problems. The Biomimicry Innovation Tool begins with a focus on Natures Laws as a starting point to design and allows students to uncover evidence that will enable the useful application of the laws of nature to solve a technical ergonomics design problem. The prototype Biomimicry Innovation Tool was applied and assessed in an ergonomics undergraduate classroom where all students were employed as cooperative education students. The students began by individually identifying an ergonomics concern in their workplace and providing a one-‐page written description of the concern. The concern was then passed along to another student to innovate a nature-‐based solution to the concern. Using a step-‐by-‐step approach, students formed an idea that evolved into a solution. A grading rubric allowed the professor to fairly evaluate the final presentations. The prototype Biomimicry Innovation Tool will be modified based on the assessment data. References: Benyus, Janine (1997) “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature,” Sept. 1, 1997, (ISBN 0-‐06-‐053322-‐6) Engle, CE, [1992], “Problem-‐Based Learning,”, Br J Hosp Med. 1992 Sep 16-‐Oct 6;48(6):325-‐9, Retreived from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1422548 on September 28, 2011. Wood, Diana, [2008]. “Problem Based Learning,” BMJ 336 : 971 doi: 10.1136/bmj.39546.716053.80 (Published 1 May 2008) Retrieved from http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7651/971.extract on September 28, 2011.