Wind Turbines Inspired by Owls and Maple Seeds

Provided by: The Kid Should See This |Published on: June 25, 2026

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Synopsis

This 4-minute video and accompanying article explains biomimicry, the practice of learning from the natural world's adaptations to improve human designs, using two wind turbine innovations as examples.
Students see how engineers mimicked the fringed feathers of owls to cut noise from turbines and studied the spinning flight of maple seeds to boost their efficiency.

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Subjects: Science, Engineering

Authors: Biomimicry Institute

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Classroom Implementation:

This video works well as an engaging hook to introduce a unit on engineering design, sparking discussion before students explore how organisms' adaptations can be reimagined as human-made solutions.
It can also serve as a hook for a unit about evolution to initiate a discussion about how and why the owl and maple leaf have come to become experts at noise reduction and aerodynamics.

Climate Change Connections:

The video uses biomimicry through the example of wind energy, a sustainable and renewable energy resource.
If used in a unit about evolution, have students consider the slow pace of evolutionary adaptations against the rapidly-changing climate to discuss how ecosystems may struggle to keep up.

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The Kid Should See This

The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.

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Wind Turbines Inspired by Owls and Maple Seeds

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources