Biomimicry Challenge 2 Offers Event-Filled Weekend of Innovation, Inspiration

Monday, March 18, 2013, By Erica Blust

Registration for students, faculty and professionals still open

In 2013, the crucial need to reduce human impact on the environment is undisputed. Biomimicry is a method of innovation that seeks to solve human problems by taking inspiration from the time-tested strategies of life on earth. The ultimate goal is to create products and processes that function sustainably, in concert with nature, for generations to come.

Now in its second year, the Biomimicry Challenge is a gathering of creative and scientific minds looking to develop these new solutions. Students, faculty and professionals are invited to participate in this event-filled weekend of innovation and inspiration, which will be held March 22-23 at the Syracuse Center of Excellence (CoE), 727 E. Washington St., Syracuse.

The challenge will feature a keynote address by Doris Kim Sung, a biology student-turned-architect who is interested in thermo-bimetals, smart materials that respond dynamically to temperature change. The weekend will also include TED-style talks from industry leaders, including 2013 challenge sponsor HermanMiller; collaborative biometric design challenges for students; LEED-certified building tours; a biomimicry network kick-off; and an after-party at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

For professionals, a full-weekend pass is available for $250; a one-day pass is $150. The challenge is free for Syracuse University students who register to take CLB 400 for one elective credit. Non-SU students with a valid student I.D. may attend the challenge for $20. Faculty who wish to participate should contact Don Carr at dwcarr@syr.edu. A full event schedule and information on how to register and purchase tickets are available at syrbiomimicry.com/.

Biomimicry Challenge 2 is presented by COLAB, the design laboratory in SU’s College of Visual Performing Arts, in partnership with HermanMiller, the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute, the Syracuse CoE, SU’s School of Architecture, SU’s Department of Biology in The College of Arts and Sciences, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), Clean Tech Center, Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, ARUP and King + King Architects.