The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (BYDC) is a free, educator-led competition in which middle and high school teams explore nature as a model for solving real-world design problems. Developed by The Biomimicry Institute and now hosted by the POCACITO Network, the BYDC runs each academic year from December through May and is open to teams worldwide.
What is biomimicry? Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that draws inspiration from nature's time-tested strategies. Teams study how plants, animals, and ecosystems solve challenges — then apply those principles to design creative solutions for pressing environmental and social problems.
How it works:
- An adult coach (teacher or educator) registers the team by January 31
- Teams work through an NGSS-aligned curriculum introducing biomimicry concepts and methods
- Coaching sessions and peer review support project development (February–March)
- Each team submits a biomimicry project proposal presenting their creative design solutions (April 1)
- An international jury of biomimicry practitioners, engineers, educators, and scientists evaluates each proposal — offering feedback and selecting special commendations for exceptional work
Awards:
- Special commendations for exceptional work across age and thematic categories
- Selected works featured in the annual online exhibition
- No cash prizes — recognition and exhibition are the primary awards
2026 key dates: | Milestone | Date | |---|---| | Coach registrations open | December 18 | | Information sessions for coaches | January 10 & 24 | | Last day to register | January 31 | | Project work and coaching sessions | February–March | | Peer review opens | February 28 | | Peer review closes | March 15 | | Final project submission | April 1 | | Awards and exhibition | May |
Important note: The BYDC is educator-led — a coach must register and support the team throughout. Students cannot register independently. Teachers and informal educators interested in participating can sign up for the BYDC Newsletter or attend an information session.