Why does Pear Tree focus so much on nature?
We all have our own idea of what is educational and what is not. It can be hard to convince parents that studying about nature (creatures and the environment) is educational. But, let’s try.
Aside from fulfilling the requirements of the BC curriculum, which covers such things as life cycles, Pear Tree’s 2 key goals for studying about all things natural are:
- To reconnect children with nature
- To develop children’s skills and interest in biomimicry.
The two points go hand in hand.
Biomimicry is the study of nature in order to drawn inspiration for architectural, business, scientific, and technological achievements. Examples of this include planes, inspired by bird; Velcro, which was inspired by the hooks found on burs; swimsuits, inspired by shark skin; office buildings, based on the termite dens; and turbine efficiency, developed from whales.
If we’re disconnected from our environment, which many of us are, then how can be possibly make any kind of scientific or technological discoveries based on nature?
Here are some videos by top experts in this field which exemplify the reasons for Pear Tree’s passion for nature:
Biomimicry in action
Biomimicry in Architecture
Biomimicry: Business Innovations Inspired by Nature
How Nature is Inspiring Design and Innovation