Knysna-Plett Herald | Bio-mimicry workshops to connect all

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Bio-mimicry workshops to connect all
10:00 (GMT+2), Fri, 10 August 2012

At a recent bio-mimicry workshop were (in front, from left) Inge Basset (Crags Eco-Preschool), Claire Twaddle (Stepping Stones), Cindy-Lee Cloete (Nature’s Valley Trust) and Graham Burt (Nature’s Valley Trust). Behind them are Lorraine McGibbon (WESSA), Zandi Zinto (Murray High School), Anathi Mkosi (Murray High School) and Loami Koekemoer (Oakhill Primary).

KNYSNA NEWS - Fourteen educators from various schools and NGOs recently braved the cold weather to attend a captivating workshop on Biomimicry in the Diepwalle section of the Garden Route National Park.

Conducted by Sue Swain of BioWise, who coordinates the Naturally Knysna initiative, the workshop was an introduction to the fascinating field of bio-mimicry.

"Bio-mimicry is essentially about turning to nature and natural systems for solutions as to how we should be designing, engineering and manufacturing and, more importantly, living our lives, conducting our businesses and operating our economies," says Swain.

Including an introduction to systems thinking and life's principles, the workshop explored the ways in which all these aspects can be brought into the classroom, into schools, and into the curricula.

"If we truly want to future-proof our learners for functioning efficiently, effectively and resiliently in a world subject to changing conditions, global economic recessions and resource depletion, then we need to equip them with the knowledge, understanding, guidelines and principles that will ensure just that."

Natural systems have been functioning prosperously for literally billions of years - they are the perfect model, the perfect mentor and the only measure by which humans should be guided. Swain feels that bringing bio-mimicry into the classroom brings many advantages because it is a new way for young people to view and value the natural world; to see Nature as not just something to extract from or learn about, but something to learn from!

"It is also of course a compelling way to present science, technology, engineering, and math subjects and a tool to enhance and express creativity through design, with hands-on, minds-on, project-based activities. It is also a way to connect school subjects to one another, and school subjects to the real world beyond classroom walls, as well as being a unique and powerful way to think and learn about sustainability and resilience."

A great day of discovery was held by all. Future workshops will also be held, not only for educators, but also for businesses and interested members of the public. Anybody interested in attending such a workshop should contact Zoliswa@biowise.org.za to register their interest and for any additional information.