People have goals. Nature has paths.

At its core, biomimicry is about imitating the hows and whys of nature’s systems. Learning from the kaleidoscopic array of organisms with which we share the planet not only makes our own experiences more vibrant, it can offer insights into seemingly intractable problems.

Since 2018, the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge has built a community of young people, educators, and biomimicry researchers looking to nature for inspiration, for hope, and for the technical genius necessary to create a healthier, happier planet.

Now, it’s your turn.

Welcome to the 2025 Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge

Free online information sessions will be held December 16, December 28, and January 8. Team registration is open through January 31.

About the Challenge

The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (BYDC) is a project-based learning experience that asks middle and high school teams to design bio-inspired ideas that can provide solutions to critical real-world problems. It provides a framework for formal and informal educators to introduce biomimicry as an engineering design strategy, to integrate relevant purposeful STEM experiences, and to provide engaging instruction aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The project and curriculum were developed by The Biomimicry Institute. Beginning with the 2025 BYDC, the program is part of the POCACITO Network.

Inspired by nature, developed by The Biomimicry Institute, and now hosted by POCACITO Network.

How it Works:

  • Register

    Coaches can register teams of two to eight students.

  • Teach

    Inspire students with biomimicry and help them create a nature-inspired design.

  • Submit

    Share your team’s solutions in the BYDC Virtual Exhibition and win awards.

This way to the curriculum…

The BYDC guides learners through an exploration of biomimicry and the creation of a biomimetic design using a hands-on, standards-aligned approach, the MIMIC Instructional Approach. Each instructional segment is one part of the five-phased MIMIC series.

New to the BYDC? Start here.

Youth Design Challenge Teacher/Coach:

“YDC is superior to any curriculum I’ve observed in my career as a teacher.”

Youth Design Challenge Participant:

“I learned how nature can change our world for the good.”

Youth Design Challenge Participant:

“Working with groups made me feel like I made an impact on the world.”