
Past programs

Launchpad
The Biomimicry Launchpad was created in 2016 to support the top Biomimicry Global Design Challenge (BGDC) teams as they considered turning their nature-inspired ideas into a reality. The annual program included an immersive nature retreat in wild environments and an engaging virtual curriculum. It evolved over the years from an entrepreneurial mindset training into a multidisciplinary community of practice. We focused on the power of collaboration and mutualism, bringing together diverse perspectives and insights, and facilitating meaningful connection. We included artists and designers along with scientists, engineers, and architects, and we centered the voices of women and indigenous people in our program.
2024 marked an inflection point in the evolution of the program, where we explored the power of convening a thoughtful and creative group of innovators to investigate a big question together. Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, these ideas have achieved a new form, and the lessons learned from the Launchpad program will inform new projects such as our Innovation Co-Labs.
From 2016-2024, the Biomimicry Launchpad program served hundreds of participants from every corner of the globe. These change-makers have made big impacts in their own ecosystems, working across countless sectors and industries. Here are just a few highlights:

Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a free project-based learning experience tailored for middle and high school students to take on critical real-world challenges. The YDC provides a framework for formal and informal educators to introduce biomimicry as an engineering design strategy, to integrate relevant and purposeful STEM experiences, and to provide engaging instruction aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The program provides a tapestry of resources and modules, inclusive of comprehensive lesson plans that lead students through a design thinking process.
Since its inception in 2018, the YDC has served participants from 52 countries and engaged an estimated 82,000 students through its curricula and challenge programming. The YDC has notably influenced students’ biomimicry understanding, problem solving, critical thinking, and scientific problem-solving.
Amidst an organizational restructure, the Biomimicry Institute has passed the reins of the YDC to the POCACITO Network to administer the challenge for the 2025 cycle. POCACITO is an international group of educators that provides experiential learning opportunities to youth, with a special focus on social and environmental equity and regenerative sustainability. As of this Fall 2024, the YDC will be added to POCACITO’s deep toolkit of resources and expertise to continue spreading nature-inspired learning with youth around the globe.

Biomimicry Global Design Challenge
The Biomimicry Global Design Challenge (BGDC) came to life in 2015 under the belief that in order for humans to fit on planet Earth, we need to learn how to create designs, systems, materials, and chemistry that are inspired and informed by nature. By introducing university students and young professionals to biomimicry’s design methodology and sustainability mindset, these emerging leaders created concepts addressing some of the biggest social and environmental issues facing the world. We are proud of all the participants who helped foster innovative and sustainable ideas to solve serious social and environmental problems.
Global Design Challenge Impact:
4854 Participants | 613 Teams | 58 Participating Countries
88 Participating Colleges + Universities | 58% female-identified participants | 17 UN SDGs addressed