In
its endeavour to foster a knowhow of new technological innovations for its
students, Witty International School had organised a day’s workshop on a
scientific, multidisciplinary field called ‘Biomimicry’. The workshop marked the presence of honorary
scientists from IIT Mumbai namely, Prof. Pant, Prof. Dusane and Prof. Verma, at
Witty International School on 26th July 2018. The purpose of the
workshop was to share the experience of biomimicry for futuristic purposes that
reopen the minds of students to nature’s solutions in terms of innovation,
adaptation and evolution.
Biomimetic’s
principle states that if it cannot be found in nature, there is probably a good
reason for its absence. It may have been tried, and long ago edited out of the
population. Natural selection is wisdom in action. Both biomimetics and
bioinspiration are emerging in education in several sectors including robotics
engineering, interdisciplinary teaching and industrial design. They are
targeted towards finding sustainable solutions for human or industrial
problems. Biomimetics is different than any other bioapproaches. It mainly
focuses upon what we can learn from nature, not what we can extract from their
ecosystems. It’s making a fiber like a spider, or lassoing the sun’s energy
like a leaf. The practice of biomimetic invention can proceed from biology to
design, where a biological phenomenon suggests a new, innovative way to solve
nature’s problems.
Dr.
Prof. Pant, who is an aerospace engineer from IIT Mumbai, conducted the
biomimetic workshop for students of class 8. A detailed demonstration was given
on biomimetic kangaroo, and aerojelly fish. Depiction of a drone displaying a
flying fish, with a camera installed in its tail fin was also vividly
demonstrated. He explained the importance of carrying out such projects at the
IIT, for making use of biomimetic principles in daily human life. The students
were excited and motivated to know and to gain more knowledge in this field.
This was evident from a very interactive question and answer session that
followed soon thereafter.
Overall,
the workshop was a stupendous success, wherein biomimetic strategies were
explained to the teachers, who could then disseminate the same to the students.
The concept of practical classroom activities, as individual or team work was
also touched and enhanced upon. The honorary scientists also hoped that sharing
their experiences will help teachers and students to tap useful concepts. The
usage of real examples of biomimetic principles and tools for the development
of new materials, new/improved designs and fabrication strategies would usher
in good stead for the students of Witty International School.
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