Children looking at Gecko with magnifying glass

Biomimicry

A collection of biomimicry resources and examples of how technology can imitate natural phenomena and processes. Public engagement biomimicry activity examples include: self-cleaning surfaces and fabrics inspired by the lotus leaf effect observed in some plant leaves, sticky materials inspired by gecko feet, photonics crystals using structural color similar to the iridescent properties of some insects, bird feathers, and shells.

Iridescent and Structural Color Properties that inspire Photonics and LCDs

Child in a red shirt with a preserved butterfly

Butterflies

A collection of resources about butterflies that can be integrated into other programs or exhibits on butterflies. These butterfly activities and resources focus on light, color, iridescence, pigmentation versus structural color, and technology inspired by nature.
two children looking at Blue Morpho butterfly

Exploring Structures - Butterfly

In this activity, learners investigate how butterfly wings get their color and that some wings get their color from the nanoscale structures on the wings instead of pigments.
Looking at an opal through a scanning electron microscope

Colors at the Nanoscale: Butterflies, Beetles and Opals

In this activity, learners will be exposed to the term ‘Photonic Crystals,' explore some of the well-known photonic crystals in nature and will also be able observe one method that scientists use in trying to replicate this process.
Large blue and orange interactive exhibit that features the properties of blue butterfly wings on the nanoscale. Exhibit has three boxes with preserved butterflies under a light and a large sign going into detail on nanostructures

Changing Colors exhibit

An exhibit that was part of the Nanotechnology: What's the Big Deal? exhibition that shows how some high-tech nanomaterials mimic natural phenomena.
Closeup photo of Blue Morpho Butterfly

Butterfly Blues video

In this O Wow Moments video, Mr. O talks about iridescence and Blue Morpho butterflies.
image of a handprint that was created using heat sensitive liquid crystals suspended in thermal paper

Exploring Materials - Liquid Crystals

In this activity, learners will investigate the properties of a heat sensitive liquid crystal and make their own liquid crystal sensor to take home.
Liquid crystal display activity components including signs, guides, craft materials, safety gear, and liquid crystal material

Exploring Products - Liquid Crystal Displays

In this activity, learners investigate temperature-sensitive liquid crystal sheets and liquid crystal displays from a calculator.
A person puts a liquid on a substrate which is on top of a DIY spin-coater.

Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs): Cart Version

In this activity, learners explore OLEDs through presentations and a spin coater demonstration. Instructions are included for facilitators to pre-make the OLEDs and the spin coater.
Paint tubes and a paint brush on top of paper colored with blue paint

Interference Acrylics: Painting with Structural Color

In this activity, learners explore structural color by comparing acrylic paint and interference acrylic paint
Group of learners examine color diffusion on various papers

Chemistry is Colorful

In this activity, learners try to solve the mystery of which ink came from what marker by using colorful paper chromatography.

Scientific Image - Liquid Crystal

Magnified image of liquid crystal using an Optical Microscope.

Scientific Image - Photonic Crystal

Magnified image of a photonic crystal using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Sticky Surfaces Inspired by Gecko Feet

Children looking at Gecko with magnifying glass

Biomimicry: From Nature to Nanotech

In this long activity, learners will engage in activities showing various natural phenomena that scientists and engineers have emulated to address human problems.
Scanning Electron Microscope of Synthetic Gecko Tape

Biomimicry: Synthetic Gecko Tape through Nanomolding

In this long activity, learners make a synthetic gecko tape with micron sized hairs that mimics that behavior of the gecko foot.
What is nano about museum labels thumbnails of signs featuring signs of hot-chocolate, hamburger, glass of water, a window, and a toilet

Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)

These museum graphic labels highlight everyday connections to nanoscale science including: chocolate, food packaging, water, a window, paint, a toilet, a soap bubble, fashion, a sock, a pencil, a butterfly, a gecko, a laptop, an elevator, and a local city.
Poster image showing a gecko and gecko-inspired robot

NanoDays Key Concepts Posters

Posters showing nano key concepts.
Magnified image of nanotubes mimicking gecko feet using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Nanotubes Mimicking Gecko Feet

Magnified image of nanotubes mimicking gecko feet using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
Magnified image of a gecko's toe using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Gecko Toe

Magnified image of a gecko's toe using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
Magnified image of a gecko's foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Gecko Foot

Magnified image of a gecko's foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
Magnified image of a gecko foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Gecko Foot

Magnified image of a gecko foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
Magnified image of a hair from a gecko's foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Single Hair from a Gecko's Foot

Magnified image of a hair from a gecko's foot using a Scanning Electron Microscope.
Magnified image of a gecko foot using an Optical Microscope.

Scientific Image - Gecko Foot

Magnified image of a gecko foot using an Optical Microscope.
Young girl stacks large blocks with images on them

Build a Giant Puzzle!

In this activity, learners assemble blocks to make images and discover how different objects are connected to nanotechnology.

Coatings Inspired by Bubbles and Thin Films

Exploring Materials - Thin Films activity components including signs, activity materials and guides.

Exploring Materials - Thin Films

In this activity, learners create a colorful bookmark using a super thin layer of nail polish on water.
Lady in pink shirt stands in the path of a cluster of bubbles

What’s Nano About Bubbles?

In this 30-second video, viewers quickly learn about the rainbow of colors seen in bubbles.

Stain Resistant and Hydrophobic Surfaces Inspired by Lotus Leaf Effect in Plants

Exploring Products - Nano Fabrics acitivty components including signs, guides, and mini pants coated with nano materials

Exploring Products - Nano Fabrics

In this activity, learners investigate the hydrophobic properties of pants made from nano fabric and ordinary fabric.
Family engaging with sand, plants, and pants

Sand, Plants and Pants

In this activity, learners explore how the application of nano-sized particles or substances can change a bigger material’s properties.
A lotus leaves in a small, man-made concrete pond.

Zoom into a Lotus Leaf video

In this video, learners get an up close look at the tiny nanostructures that give the leaf its unique superhydrophobic behavior.
A screenshot of the zoom into a nasturtium leaf interactive starting with a nasturtium leaf.

Multimedia Zoom Into a Nasturtium Leaf

This downloadable and online interactive allows learners to travel from the familiar scale of nasturtium leaf to DNA deep within the plant's cell.
A person holding an ice cream cone with the text "NANO: I've never had that problem."

Nano and Me Videos

In these short videos, learners are introduced to simple fundamentals about the nanoscale; topics include the differences between macro and nano silver, gold, aluminum, latex, gravity, and stain free pants.
The supervillain Dr. Blot dressed in a crazy costume

I Got No Stains on Me

In this O Wow Moments video, Mr. O explores how nanotechnology is used to create clothes that are stain resistant.
Teen girl with braces in a pink shirt holds a large kale leaf

What’s Nano About Toilets?

In this 30-second video, viewers quickly learn how nanocoatings inspired by nature can keep things clean.
Facilitator showing learners the lotus leaf effect

Lotus Leaf Effect

In this activity, learners explore how some leaves are self cleaning and repel water due to their nanoscale features.

Scientific Image - Water Droplet on a Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a water droplet on a Nasturtium leaf using an Optical Microscope.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a nasturtium leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of Nasturtium Leaf using an Optical Camera.

Scientific Image - Nasturtium Leaf

Magnified image of a nasturtium leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - SEM Image of Lotus Leaf

Magnified image of a lotus leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scientific Image - SEM Image of Lotus Leaf

Magnified image of a lotus leaf using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Composite Materials Inspired by Natural Structures

a collection of shells of different types

Why are Seashells so Strong?

In this activity, learners explore seashells and various structural models to discover that seashells are a composite material made of both inorganic and organic materials.

Biomimicry included in Nano Key Concepts Resources

cover image of the nano content map

Nanoscale Science Informal Learning Experiences: NISE Network Content Map

The NISE Network nanoscale science content map features key ideas for our educational products, including programs, exhibits, and media experiences.
children dripping water on lotus leaves

Engaging the Public in Nano Key Concepts

Professional development guide for educators on Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network.
Nano is different slide showing gold, nano gold, and stained glass

Nano 101 Intro to Nano slide presentations

Introduction to nanoscale science and technology slide presentations for educators.
NanoDays Collection book cover featuring a family of learners observing materials

NanoDays Collection Book

Compendium of all public engagement materials from NanoDays 2008-2015 designed to engage the public in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology and their impact on society impact on society.
Poster image showing a gecko and gecko-inspired robot

NanoDays Key Concepts Posters

Posters showing nano key concepts.
What is nano about museum labels thumbnails of signs featuring signs of hot-chocolate, hamburger, glass of water, a window, and a toilet

Nano Museum Labels (Graphic Signs)

These museum graphic labels highlight everyday connections to nanoscale science including: chocolate, food packaging, water, a window, paint, a toilet, a soap bubble, fashion, a sock, a pencil, a butterfly, a gecko, a laptop, an elevator, and a local city.
Visitors line up by size in Get in Order - large size powers of 10 cards featuring an Earth card

Size, Scale, & Measurement

A compilation of activities and resources focused on size, scale, and measurement. Resources can be incorporated into annual events including Metric Day, Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, World Quantum Day, DNA Day, NanoDays, Earth and space events, and more.

Annual Events and Themes

National Bird Day (January 5)

  • www.nationalbirdday.com website
  • some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers

Great Backyard Bird Count (mid-February)

  • https://www.birdcount.org
  • some bird feathers (such as peacock feathers) are iridescent due to nano-sized structures within the feathers

World Wildlife Day (March 3)

National Learn about Butterflies Day (March 14)

More Resources

Working with STEM Experts Guide cover including an image of expert puring a liquid and using a strainer with a girl and her family at a museum public event

Finding STEM Experts