Events

Abstract

The Biomimicry Institute envisions a world in which people view nature not as a warehouse of goods but as a storehouse of knowledge and inspiration for sustainable solutions. In this talk, learn through case studies how entrepreneurs are applying lessons from the natural world to solve a variety of challenges. This session will include time to practice applying biomimetic techniques to enhance your own skills of observation and creativity.

Speaker Bios

Megan Schuknecht
Megan spent her youth exploring the forests, creeks, and hedgerows of northeastern Wisconsin, and her extreme curiosity and passion for the natural world eventually led her to work in the field of biomimicry. As director of design challenges, Megan manages the Biomimicry Institute's annual Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, develops university-corporate challenges around specific design deliverables, and brings the Institute's biomimicry design challenge framework to partner organizations that are interested in applying nature-inspired solutions to the issues they care about. Megan graduated from Grinnell College with a BA in biology, served as a beekeeping extensionist in Paraguay with the U.S. Peace Corps, and earned an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana-Missoula.

Gretchen Hooker
Gretchen Hooker is a designer and certified Biomimicry Specialist. At the Biomimicry Institute she is part of the management team for the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge and a content developer for biomimicry education materials and programs. Hooker has broad professional experience in the design, education, and non-profit realms and excels at creating educational content and strategic programming that builds design and ecological literacy. Prior to joining the Biomimicry Institute, she was the founding director of the Office for Sustainability at Montana State University. She holds a Master of Industrial Design degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and received her BA from Macalster College, where she studied fine art and environmental studies.

Co-sponsored by Ford Motor Company.