2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Biomimicry as an Authentic Anchor (Resource Exchange)

Presented at PCEE Instructional Showcases

The Biomimicry as an Authentic Anchor (BAA) project helps middle school students engage in science and engineering through biomimetic design. Biomimicry uses inspiration from nature to solve problems. One of the lesson plans in the BAA curriculum is called ‘The Airborne Transport Design Challenge’. In this lesson, students examine four different organisms that have evolved strategies for floating and twirling seeds through the air. Students then engage in collaborative biomimetic design to prototype and test a device that can transport a small package through the air. This curriculum exchange resource will provide educators with a lesson that integrates biology, structure/function analysis, and engineering design.

Authors

Ms. Tyrine Jamella Pangan Tufts University [biography]

Tyrine Jamella Pangan is a STEM Education PhD student at Tufts University and a Graduate Research Assistant at the Tufts University Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO). She is interested in integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) in engineering, specifically within the elementary school context. Tyrine hopes to explore how Transformative SEL can be implemented to cultivate socially responsible engineers.
Dr. Kristen B Wendell Tufts University [biography]

Kristen Wendell is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Education at Tufts University. Her research efforts at at the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach focus on supporting discourse and design practices of engineering learners from all backgrounds and at all levels.
Geling Xu Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach [biography]

Geling Xu is a Ph.D. student in STEM Education at Tufts University and a research assistant at Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach. She is interested in K-12 STEM Education, AI Education, MakerSpace, LEGO Education, and curriculum design.
Dr. Michael Cassidy
Dr. Ethan E Danahy http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1431-8031 Tufts University [biography]

Dr. Ethan Danahy is a Research Associate Professor at the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach (CEEO) with secondary appointment in the Department of Computer Science within the School of Engineering at Tufts University. Having received his graduate degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from Tufts University, he continues research in the design, implementation, and evaluation of different educational technologies. With particular attention to engaging students in the STEAM content areas, he focuses his investigations on enhancing creativity and innovation, supporting better documentation, and encouraging collaborative learning.
William Church

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