A Case Study on Preschool Children's Perceptions of Biomimicry

The main purpose of this research is to examine the biomimicry perceptions of preschool children. A case study, one of the qualitative research models, was used in the research. This research was conducted with the participation of 11 girls and 10 boys, aged between 50-65 months, who were studying in an independent kindergarten affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Gaziantep in the 2023-2024 academic year. Photographs and observer notes were used as data collection tools in the research. In explaining the science of biomimicry, the book "I am Hezarfen" written by Müzeyyen Erkul Art and Science Center and Suat Turgut (2018) was used. Through the activities, children were given detailed information about the science of Biomimicry and presentations were made. Within the scope of our study, one-week activity plans were created using the 5E model. At the end of this planning process, the children were allowed to create product designs. Findings emerged that during the activities, children used problem solving, collaboration, communication, research-discovery and creative thinking skills, which are 21st century skills. As a result, it has been observed that the activities carried out with preschool children have positive effects on children's perceptions of biomimicry.