Jayden Ha / Laguna Hills High school 9th Grade

Biomimicry was first popularized when Janinry Benyus included the word in her seminal book published in 1997. The term is self-explanatory, describing the development of technology that mimics nature. Though the term itself has not been popularized for long, bio mimicry dates back to hunter-gatherers, who imitated animals’ movements during the hunt. More recently, we have started to apply bio mimicry to modern science.

Some of the greatest discoveries in bio mimicry include airplanes and Velcro, both of which played monumental roles in transforming our lives. One of my personal favorites was the harnessing of solar power in an imitation of photosynthesis in plants. This technology is still not perfect with room to improve, but once better secured, it will be the primary source of our energy and help to resolve other energy-related problems.

One of the other technologies researchers are working on is something that was once only possible in movies. With the same method dolphins use to hunt their food, we can use radar to detect hidden surveillance and explosives. With this technology, countless lives will be saved as well as an increase in the security of our country.

Bio mimicry will be the future of our lives but there is a delicate balance between learning to imitate and reproduce nature without overusing and harming what nature has to offer. Although easy to jump at the opportunity to use resources we need to take the step to realize that exploitation of nature will only work against our favor in the future. There are infinite discoveries to be made and with this in mind, the future looks bright, as nature never ceases to amaze us.