Wind Turbines Inspired by Owls and Maple Seeds
Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: June 25, 2026|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Videos
Subjects: Science, Engineering
Authors: Biomimicry Institute
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This 4-minute video and accompanying article explains biomimicry, the practice of learning from the natural world's adaptations to improve human designs, using two wind turbine innovations as examples.
- Students see how engineers mimicked the fringed feathers of owls to cut noise from turbines and studied the spinning flight of maple seeds to boost their efficiency.
Teaching Materials
Classroom Implementation:
- This video works well as an engaging hook to introduce a unit on engineering design, sparking discussion before students explore how organisms' adaptations can be reimagined as human-made solutions.
- It can also serve as a hook for a unit about evolution to initiate a discussion about how and why the owl and maple leaf have come to become experts at noise reduction and aerodynamics.
Climate Change Connections:
- The video uses biomimicry through the example of wind energy, a sustainable and renewable energy resource.
- If used in a unit about evolution, have students consider the slow pace of evolutionary adaptations against the rapidly-changing climate to discuss how ecosystems may struggle to keep up.
This video discusses a company that used biomimicry, the idea of emulating nature to solve problems, to improve wind turbines efficiency and reduce their noise. Biomimicry encourages people to observe, work with, and be inspired by nature while solving problems. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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