Biomimicry Institute’s Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is hands-on, project-based learning that provides informal educators and classrooms with a new approach to introduce biomimicry and an interdisciplinary approach to environmental literacy science. This is a free program for students to explore the wonders of the natural world and learn through teamwork with an adult coach to learn creating innovations that support a healthier planet.

YDC follows an academic calendar, but entries to the competition are reviewed once annually in late spring. YDC is a competition for students in middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). The teams consist of a pair of students or a group of students and one to two coaches affiliated with a school, education organization, or home school.

 Details 

Registration Deadline: 28 March 2023

Submission Deadline: 4 April 2023 (5 pm, Pacific Time)

Application Status: Open

Organization: Biomimicry Institute

Location: Online

Gender: Male/Female

Funding Type: Self-funded

Number of Positions: 3

Degree Level: None

Eligible Countries: All Countries

Program Duration: Project-based

Language Required: English

Fields: Science and Environment 

Benefits

Upon successful application, first, second, and third-place winners in high school and middle school will receive the followings: 

• Recognition on the Biomimicry Institute website, on the Youth Design Challenge website, and in media and outreach. 
• A Certificate to the winning team members

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the YDC program:

• Should be middle school students from grades 6-8 and high school from grades 9-12
• Students can apply as team members or individual applicants. 
• A team is consisting individual or 2 – 8 student team members with 1 or 2 adult coaches.
• Teams and coaches should be affiliated with a registered home school, public or private school, or a legally recognized educational institution (such as a museum, after-school program, youth agency, etc.). 
• Coaches should be at least 18 years old and can be educators, volunteers, or parents/guardians working with the team’s affiliated organization. 
• Meet additional requirements.  

Challenge Design Brief 

A Design brief is a document used by professional designers and their clients to communicate the context, goals, and requirements of a creative project. This Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (YDC) design brief format should consist of the following:

• Challenge Title
• The Problem
• A Pathway for Solutions

Submissions Required

Applicants should submit their entries online, including all required elements mentioned as follows:

• Written project overview
• Project image
• Video pitch
• Project Portfolio
• Team photo

Please, read the detailed submission guideline on the YDC webpage.

How to Apply

Register as a coach to serve as a point of contact between your team and the Biomimicry Institute. The coach is also responsible for submitting entries. Students can’t join challenges independently.

To register as a coach, please the following steps: 

1. Register: Click the Sign-Up button in the top right of the Challenge page and complete your coach profile.
2. Review Resources: Start reviewing the Program Handbook for information and suggestions for coaching a team. Then browse the curriculum and resources.
3. Dive In: Ask your team members to come together and start learning and designing
4. Submit: When students/team members have completed their designs, submit the entry to the online challenge portal. Please, press Apply Now to submit your entry.  

Apply Now

 Find More Opportunities 

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United World Colleges UWC Scholarship for Afghan Youths

Read more details about the program on the website, or read the details on the program handbook.