The Story of Velcro
Discover how a simple walk in the woods inspired one of the world’s most useful inventions!
Every day after their walk together, Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral had to remove burrs from his dog’s fur. Curious why they attached so easily, he studied them. His curiosity turned an annoyance into the brilliant idea we now know as Velcro. Told through the playful perspective of Georges and his curious dog, this story shows how nature is filled with brilliant design solutions that can inspire creative innovations.
Perfect for young readers, this engaging read-aloud introduces biomimicry—the science of learning from nature to solve human challenges. Written to support 1st- and 2nd-grade biomimicry units in the latest science standards, this book is an ideal addition to classrooms, STEM lessons, and home libraries.
Kids ages 6-9
Grades: 1-3
Perfect For
- STEM teachers and school librarians
- Homeschool science lessons
- Parents looking for fun educational reads
- Units on inventions, nature, engineering, and creative problem-solving
- Early readers who love real-world stories
Educational Value
- Aligned to NGSS – Supports 1st–2nd grade biomimicry and engineering design units.
- Builds Literacy + Science Skills – Perfect for cross-curricular learning.
Great for Classrooms – Ideal for STEM lessons, project launches, and read-alouds. - Encourages Young Inventors – Inspires kids to observe, ask questions, and explore.
The Story of Eco-Machines follows biologist, ecologist, and farmer Dr. John Todd as he confronts several urgent ecological and human health challenges. Guided by the same science and engineering practices used in today’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Todd begins with a single question:
Could we design a system that would clean heavily contaminated
water without the use of chemicals, and powered by the sun?
This led to years of investigation, experimentation, collaboration, and redesign. His work at The New Alchemy Institute, in the late 1970s, led him to an idea that changed the field of ecological design: a living technology powered by plants, microbes, fish, and sunlight. This groundbreaking system becomes known as an Eco-Machine—a biological process engineered to restore polluted water and damaged environments.
Written for middle school readers, this narrative nonfiction book presents real-world science in an accessible, story-driven model of NGSS engineering practices. Students learn firsthand how scientists use curiosity, iteration, and systems thinking to address some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Kids ages 10-13
Grades: 5-7
Perfect For
- Middle school science classrooms
- NGSS-aligned engineering units
- Environmental science and ecology lessons
- STEM programs and sustainability projects
- Units on inventions, nature, engineering, and creative problem-solving
- Project-based learning and inquiry units
- School libraries seeking strong narrative nonfiction
Educational Value
- Systems Thinking – Understand ecosystems as interconnected systems.
- Engineering Design – See how real scientists prototype and refine solutions.
- Environmental Literacy – Learn how living technologies address pollution and water health.
- STEM Career Inspiration – Introduces ecological engineering through an authentic role model.