After building their knowledge base, students are ready to move on to practice. At this stage, they begin to see and interact with nature's designs in ways that would be impossible in a traditional classroom. Through augmented reality (AR), students can zoom in on microscopic worlds, exploring the intricate protrusions of a lotus leaf, the ridges that reduce drag on shark skin, or the ingenious airflow systems inside termite mounds.
The AR environment becomes their laboratory.

  • In one mission, students virtually examine the microstructure of the lotus leaf and are challenged to design a product—such as a self-cleaning water bottle or stain-resistant fabric—inspired by its water-repellent properties.
  • In another, they study the skin denticles of shark skin in 3D and are tasked with creating a material that reduces drag in water.
  • In a group challenge, students select a natural wonder, such as spider silk or gecko feet, and reflect on how to apply its structure or process to human inventions.

These exercises are directly linked to real-world innovations. Students learn how architecture classes in Zimbabwe studied termite mounds to create office buildings that stay cool without air conditioning, or how engineers in Europe designed insect-inspired drones that fly more efficiently.