The Nature Lab’s myriad collections offer endless inspiration for personal and collaborative projects, along with class assignments.
Our Local Environment
Discover the natural history of Rhode Island and Narragansett Bay through these institutions that offer both online information and activities and nature walks around the state.
Green Materials and Biomaterials
Designing for the health of the planet starts with low-impact or benign material choices. Links here include data portals for certified green building products to recipes for d-i-y and g-i-y materials
Sustainable Design
Sustainable design factors extend from healthy material choices to understanding the impact of your design in terms of embodied carbon and water, life cycle inventory and analysis, and ecological assessments and regenerative design strategies. Wise design also considers the social as well as the economic and environmental dimensions of design choices.
Biomimicry
Biomimicry takes its design cues from the natural world, and encompasses green materials, product innovation, and designing for systems.
Teaching and Learning
Resources for those involved in bringing knowledge of living systems and sustainability to K-12 audiences.
Competitions
Want to design the next innovation to save the planet? Look here for insight on how to improve your designs, and enter for a chance at international recognition.
Books
The Nature Lab staff recommends a variety of books to help inspire your earth day, everyday.
Collections