Our aim was to equip students with the skills and mindset to design sustainable solutions to real-world environmental challenges by combining STEAM and Biomimicry. Based on our needs analysis, students were highly concerned about climate issues but lacked confidence and interdisciplinary tools to act. By implementing this project, we sought to: Improve green and digital competencies, Raise awareness of nature-based strategies, Empower students to create sustainable projects, Strengthen international collaboration and cultural exchange, Promote innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, Support cross-curricular learning linked to climate action. Through four mobilities and hands-on activities, students engaged in nature-inspired design processes. The project also aimed to enhance teachers’ capacity in STEAM and sustainability education, contributing to the SDGs, EU Green Deal, and the Digital Education Agenda.
We applied for this project to address the urgent need for interdisciplinary, sustainability-focused education among students. Our needs assessment survey across partner schools showed that 85% of students are concerned about environmental problems, but only 36% feel confident in designing sustainable solutions. Most students are unfamiliar with biomimicry, yet they are highly interested in nature-based problem solving. The results highlighted a gap between awareness and actionable skills, especially in STEAM fields. Students need opportunities to engage in real-life, interdisciplinary challenges. Each partner school brought unique needs: Copenhagen Åbne Gymnasium seeks stronger integration of nature-based design in its social-focused curriculum; Şişli Science and Art Center works with gifted students needing enriched content; and Zespół Szkół Technicznych requires more academic depth in sustainable design. By combining Biomimicry and STEAM, this project meets students’ needs, promotes collaboration, builds green skills, and fosters innovation aligned with EU priorities and the SDGs.