BioInspired! So What? Now What!

The online Master of Science in Biomimicry at ASU is a first of its kind program focusing on an emerging discipline that seeks to apply life’s strategies to human design. Offered in collaboration with Biomimicry 3.8 through The Biomimicry Center at ASU, the MS also complements the Certified Biomimicry Professional program offered by Biomimicry 3.8. 

Through this degree program, you will learn the methodology and practice of the discipline and how to facilitate its application across a wide-variety of applications. This program is ideal if you are interested in innovative, transdisciplinary learning and the opportunity to work with students from around the globe to advance the field and develop sustainable, real-world applications. You will also apply the fundamentals of your training during a series of practicums, including a self-designed “Biomimicry Virtual Design Lab.”

If you take this course, you will be able to:

• Describe what biomimicry is and how it relates to other forms of bio-inspired design
• Use the Biomimicry for Design methodology (the Biomimicry Design Spiral) for technical and non- technical design challenges
• Articulate why biomimicry is valuable for your organization
• Integrate biomimicry into your design process or innovation pathway

About this course: Ecosystem services are a way of thinking about – and evaluating – the goods and services provided by nature that contribute to the well-being of humans. 

This MOOC will cover scientific (technical), economic, and socio-political dimensions of the concept through a mix of theory, case-studies, interviews with specialists and a serious-game. By the end of this course, our aim is to enable you to:

• define the concept of ecosystem services, its principles and limitations
• understand the key services associated with any ressource (e.g., fresh water) through readings and case-studies
• appreciate the advantages and potential risks of monetising ecosystem services
• appreciate the social dimensions (power issues, cultural biases) embedded within any method
• integrate tactical advice on mainstreaming this approach into policy and standard government practices
• Optional: learn how to map ecosystem services with GIS tools

If you take this course, you will be able to:

• Describe what biomimicry is and how it relates to other forms of bio-inspired design
• Use the Biomimicry for Design methodology (the Biomimicry Design Spiral) for technical and non- technical design challenges
• Articulate why biomimicry is valuable for your organization
• Integrate biomimicry into your design process or innovation pathway

Instructor: Denise DeLuca, PE

The challenge of funding often comes up in bio-inspired design discussions and generates a lot of interest, as demonstrated by the April 2015 B3D webinar on funding hosted by Margo Farnsworth.  MaRS, the Toronto Discovery District’s commercialization hub, is developing a three-part online course that focuses on funding for tech and science-based startups but appears applicable to BID.  Each module is divided into short video clips with associated readings.  The first module incorporates an early version of Antony Upward's Strongly Sustainable Business Model, described at Flourishing is the Outcome; Design is the Process.

The course is designed for entrepreneurs preparing for their seed fundraising round. Through a series of video lessons, users learn actionable tasks to get investment-ready, prepare due diligence documents and discover alternatives to angel and VC capital.

Introduction to Investment Readiness has three modules that will be released between January 11 and 29, and they will stay open after that.