Choosing between the Biomimicry Practitioner and Biomimicry Educator Programs

So, you’re thinking of signing up for the Biomimicry Practitioner or Biomimicry Educator Programme… but you’re not sure which one is right for you. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

What’s the Difference between the Biomimicry Practitioner and Biomimicry Educator Programmes?

We get this question a lot. And it's tricky to give a one-size-fits-all answer. In our experience, it really comes down to personal preference, so we wrote this blog to outline the key differences between the two programmes, and help guide your decision-making journey.

Let’s break it down.

Why Choose the Biomimicry Practitioner Programme?

This one’s for the designers, architects, engineers and curious biology enthusiasts. You’ll probably thrive here if …

• You want to understand how life’s strategies in biology, chemistry, and physics can solve real world problems.
  
• You love the idea of spending your time translating nature's genius into design solutions
  
• You are intrigued by the formal "Challenge to Biology" biomimicry Emulation process
  
• You want to create a product, service, strategy or framework that will solve a design challenge in any sphere outside of education or mentorship
  

The Biomimicry Practitioner Programme is deep and focused. You’ll walk away not just with an idea - but with a personal project and the ability to apply the Emulation methodology of biomimicry again and again.

When the Practitioner Programme might not be for you:

If you’re more interested in having a broader overview of biomimicry - beyond the technical design process, or if you’re not that keen on spending two months investigating biological strategies and adaptations.

Why Choose the Biomimicry Educator Programme?

This one’s for the teachers, lecturers, storytellers, trainers, consultants and facilitators (both formal and informal). If …

• You have a challenge related to a learning or training context
  
• You are excited to explore biomimicry more broadly – beyond just emulation, and into the Ethos, Reconnect and other “ingredients” of biomimicry.
  
• You are okay doing research that goes beyond biomimicry itself (like learning theories or educational tools)
  
• You want to create a course, curriculum or learning experience that shares the genius of nature with others, within the space of education

…then this Programme could be your sweet spot. It’s all about integrating biomimicry as a learning tool for changing hearts and minds, whether you're building a curriculum, crafting a lesson plan, or designing an interactive experience.

When the Educator Programme might not be for you:

If you have a burning desire to dig into nature’s blueprints and emulate strategies directly - you might find the Educator Programme a bit too broad.

Final Thoughts

Truthfully, both the Biomimicry Practitioner and Biomimicry Educator Programmes come with a little FOMO (“Fear of Missing Out”). Whichever one you choose, you’ll probably catch yourself thinking, “Ooh, what are they doing over there?” And that’s okay.

Luckily, you're not cut off.  That’s one of the reasons we love having such diverse cohorts. You’ll be learning alongside a rich group of passionate individuals, and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with peers and alumni from both streams. 

In fact, many Biomimicry Educators get a great feel for what the Biomimicry Practitioners are doing - it’s a bit easier that way around. The Practitioner methodology is relatively simple to grasp, even if it’s tough to master. The Educator path? It’s more complex in structure, but more flexible in how you apply it.

Either way, we’ve seen many cross-collaborations, networking and knowledge-sharing happen in our cohorts, and we love to see it. 

🌱 Quick Summary: Practitioner vs Educator

Still not sure? That’s totally normal.

Choosing between these two isn’t just a logical decision - it’s about your values, your goals, your experience, and the kind of journey you want to go on. Either way, you’ll join a vibrant community of biomimics using nature’s genius to transform the world.

You can also explore some examples of projects done by our past Biomimicry Practitioners and Biomimicry Educators here, to give you a good idea of what the end results for each might look like.  

If you’re stuck, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help.

Here’s to life-long and life-wide learning!
Jess, Alistair and The Learn Biomimicry Team

Still comparing courses? You can also read: The Top Biomimicry Courses and Certificates of 2025