From agriculture to sustainable foods to pharmaceuticals, plant science is a fascinating topic vital to the conservation of the environment and the success of many commercial industries.
To engage the public with this complex field, the European Plant Science Organisation begun a Fascination of Plants Day where institutions across the globe hold events aimed at increasing public knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, plant science.
In Norwich, over 400 school children from years 5 to 11 attended a Fascination of Plants Day hosted by the John Innes Centre (JIC). At the TGAC4Kids booth, students experienced hands-on activities from algae, 3D plant cells to DNA origami to engage them with the Institute’s plant science research in genomics and bioinformatics.
In a phylogenetic activity, the pupils were challenged to place a group of various plants in the order in which they evolved using the ‘TGAC Evolution Tree’; from the oldest species to the evolutionary newcomer. The school children were then given the genetic sequences of these plants to refine their answers in their event workbooks.
Jamie Edwards, Public Engagement and Society Manager at TGAC, commented: “This event helps to raise awareness of many different types of plants and enthuses others about the importance of plant science for agriculture, in sustainability producing food and for horticulture. At TGAC, we sequence a number of plants and by taking part in Fascination of Plants Day we can work with the next generation of scientists to inspire them to pursue careers in genetic sequencing and computational biology.”
A mix of speakers further engaged the pupils by revealing their personal tales concerning plants including Jenny Walton, PhD student at JIC, on why she loves plants; Dr Ken Farquhar from the Inspirational Science Company, on ‘Genetics – are you taking the pea?’ and the presentations were concluded by former Blue Peter Gardener, Chris Collins.
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For more information, please contact:
Hayley London
Marketing & Communications Officer
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC)
T: +44 (0) 1603 450107
E: [email protected]
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How to fascinate children with plants
19 May 2015
TGAC4Kids, a public engagement programme run by The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) takes part in the third international ‘Fascination of Plants Day’, raising enthusiasm for plant science among pupils and their teachers from 12 local schools in the Norfolk and Suffolk area.