‘Plant Power’ is an annual event held at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden. Each year it coincides with Fascination of Plants Day organised by the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
This year, staff at the Garden worked with the University’s School of Life Sciences (Division of Plant Sciences and Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research), Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science and the James Hutton Institute to create an exciting day of activity focused on plants. Our science activities were:
- Crime Lab Chemistry
- Root Printing
- Landraces
- Pop-Up Medicinal Garden
- Meiosis and Chromosomes
- DNA extraction
- Plants and Pathogens
- Face Painting where plant scientists chatted about their research while decorating faces
Alongside the science, there was the Nature Collective Art and Craft Fair, Whimsical Lush exhibition in the Green Gallery with the toadstool trail around the garden, and the Dundee Naturalists Society.
We welcomed over 800 visitors to the garden over the day. The fantastic weather made it a wonderful event and encouraged visitors to stay and explore the wider gardens.
Feedback included:
- “The pleasant welcoming staff; really interesting topics which were made applicable to adults and children alike.”
- “Very interactive but also self-directed so we could wonder and do things at our own pace. Really enjoyed potato and tomato workshop.”
- ” I cannot thank everyone enough that gave their time and shared their knowledge and expertise, I left feeling truly inspired and my faith restored in humanity. Just Wonderful!”
If you missed out on the event, we’ve created an accompanying activity website. Check it out : https://ics.hutton.ac.uk/pp24
Other family friendly resources based on some of our other activities are available here:
This event was supported with funding from BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust. Picture credits: University of Dundee
