Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – The NEN

STEM comes to life for early years students with Schools Festival

Aberdeen charity, TechFest, is hosting the School Science Festival, running from May 26-30, to inspire northeast students to become future scientists and engineers.
Primarily sponsored by bp and Shell, the festival will offer a range of exciting programs for children from Nursery to Primary 7. From meeting exotic animals and learning about renewable energy, to exploring genetics and the human body through hands-on activities and real-life scenarios.
‘Schools Science Festival’ will feature an exciting lineup of STEM workshops from TechFest and partners such as Glasgow Science Centre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Dynamic Earth and others, further supporting the charity’s mission to make STEM more accessible through collaboration with industry and education.
Jenny Taylor, Festival Manager, TechFest, said: “Our Schools Science Festival isn’t just about learning, it’s a chance for young people to believe in themselves! Whether it’s getting hands-on in exciting workshops, exploring new ideas, or tackling real-world challenges, we’re here to help them build their confidence and show them just how far their potential can take them.”

Aberdeen-based charity, TechFest, is hosting its Schools Science Festival from May 26-30th to enhance STEM knowledge among Northeast youth and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists.

Held at Robert Gordon University campus, the festival offers hands-on STEM activities for Nursery to Primary 7 pupils, from meeting exotic animals to exploring genetics and renewable energy, starting at just £2.

The programme, led by TechFest and esteemed partners like Glasgow Science Centre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and Dynamic Earth, will showcase an engaging array of STEM workshops.

This initiative aligns with TechFest’s mission to enhance accessibility by fostering collaboration between industry and education while making STEM fun for all.

Jenny Taylor, Festival Manager, TechFest, said: “We believe every child deserves the chance to follow their dreams and have the confidence and passion to do so.

“Our Schools Science Festival makes that possible by connecting schools with our incredible sponsors and partners, inspiring the next generation to grow and thrive.

“We encourage every school to take full advantage of this opportunity. I believe that together, we can empower students, spark their curiosity, and build brighter futures for all!”

TechFest’s schools program supports participating institutions in integrating the ‘Developing Young Workforce’ agenda into their curriculum, offering students valuable insights into diverse career pathways.

The workshop hosts and lecturers, including environmental experts, university professors, and industry professionals, will provide valuable insights into the industry, foster relationships, and inspire young learners.

TechFest is dedicated to developing initiatives rooted in STEM, making the subjects fun and engaging while establishing meaningful connections with industry and education, to help young people pursue a future in STEM.

TechFest’s Schools Science Festival is jointly sponsored by Shell and bp and is tailored to support classroom learning through the Curriculum for Excellence.

Doris Reiter, Senior Vice President, bp North Sea, said: “The schools festival is a key feature of TechFest’s annual programme.

“We’re pleased to be supporting it again and helping young people to explore the boundless possibilities of STEM.”

Simon Roddy, SVP of Shell UK Upstream, said: “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of TechFest.

“We hope that the variety of activities and experiences on offer will encourage people to engage with STEM and learn about the skills needed to help shape and develop our energy system.”

Following the Schools Science Festival, TechFest will be hosting Family Activity Weekend, which is one of the most popular events in the TechFest calendar!

Taking place Sat, 31st May – 1st June, this incredible weekend gives the opportunity for thousands of visitors to explore the world of STEM in an inspiring, fun and relaxed fashion.

The weekend is made up of two days of workshops, shows and activities for families to get involved with.

For more info https://techfest.org.uk/news-events/news/item/67-activity-weekendvisit

Mighty Oaks Holiday Club is back at the Botanics

The Mighty Oaks Holiday Club is back this summer!

Let your little adventurers discover the magic of nature through a week of trails, games, crafts, and scavenger hunts, all set in our beautiful Botanic Garden

We’re running four five-day programmes, starting from Monday 7 July.

Find the full itineraries and book now: https://rbge.cc/holiday-club

Keep your festive spirits high with a trip to Christmas at the Botanics

As New Year approaches, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh encourages visitors to make the most of the festive season by taking a trip to this year’s magical Christmas at the Botanics.

Running over 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December, the trail offers a ‘Twixmas’ treat for family and friends looking to fill the festive gap between Christmas and New Year.

Transforming the Garden with new installations and spectacular illuminations, the trail has been designed and assembled to complement the Botanics’ existing landscape, with nearly 95% of the lights on the trail being LED.

With the return of Christmas classics, this is the last chance for visitors to snap a picture in the iconic Christmas Cathedral or catch a glimpse of Santa before he sets off for the North Pole to prepare for next year’s festivities.

The magical after-dark event is not only an unmissable winter activity for families and friends but also allows visitors to support the Garden’s wider work to address biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.

Ticket sales help fund the Botanics’ international plant research, conservation work and education programmes, strengthening their commitment to building a positive future for plants, people and the planet.

Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The days between Christmas and New Year can often feel like a tricky gap to fill for families looking to keep the kids entertained during the holidays.

“Christmas at the Botanics offers the perfect way to make the most of this time with a chance to see the Garden illuminated like never before and support the important conservation work we do.

“Every ticket sold helps us address global challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change, making it a meaningful and memorable way to end the year.”

As many manage the costs of the holidays, the event offers a low-priced off-peak ticket as well as reduced-pricing family tickets, making this the most affordable, accessible and inclusive trail yet.

Tickets for this year’s show are still on sale with visitors encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot. For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please click here.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter RG Live, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Newhaven mural celebrates restoration project

A visual legacy celebrating a project aimed at restoring seagrass and oysters to the Firth of Forth has been unveiled.

The mural in the grounds of the Heart of Newhaven Community Centre celebrates the innovative Restoration Forth initiative which aims to bring back seagrass meadows and European flat oysters to the waterway.

Edinburgh based mural artist and illustrator Natasha Russell was commissioned by the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh to bring to life the restoration activities across the Forth.

Local residents, alongside pupils from Victoria Primary School, attended workshops to explore what the themes and design of the artwork would be.

Artist Natasha Russell said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with the local community and Restoration Forth, RBGE and Heart of Newhaven in order to design this mural.

“Through creating the artwork we wanted to celebrate and help to spark interest in the return of oysters to the Firth of Forth and the ways that they can benefit local communities once again by enhancing water quality and supporting biodiversity. The mural also looks to capture the story of how the oysters in the Forth used to support fishing communities in Newhaven and highlights how our relationship with this species has changed over time.

“Through painting the mural at the Heart of Newhaven we hope to support the lively environment of this community space and to make an artwork that is accessible to the wide range of people who pass this wall.”

Workshop participant Beth Cockerline said: “It was so lovely to come together to discuss the mural , the local community and learn about the beauty and importance of the oysters.

“I’ve been telling everyone how cool and vital they are.”

Workshop participant Lucy Neville said: “I have loved the opportunity to be involved in the mural workshops. The Forth was once such a biodiverse estuary filled with life that supported us communities.

“Volunteering with Restoration Forth has given me the faith that it can be that way again. And the mural will be a daily reminder of our history, present and potential future, as a community that is part of the river and sea.”

Heart of Newhaven is a community hub for the Restoration Forth project, aiming to engage local people with efforts to restore and enhance the Firth of Forth.

Judy Crabb, Chair of Heart of Newhaven said: “It is a great privilege for us to be the location for a beautiful mural that represents such an important part of the heritage of this area. We can’t wait to share it with everyone that visits the Heart for years to come.”

The oyster beds around the Firth of Forth were some of the most famous in Scotland over the 17th and 18th centuries. Oysters were significant for jobs, the economy and diet in the local Newhaven and Leith areas.

The ‘Newhaven Fishwives’ would sell oysters around Edinburgh and were a prominent part of the community. Some records show that nearly 30 million oysters were fished from the Firth of Forth annually. Unfortunately, overfishing and industrial development led to the local extinction of oysters in the area.

We now understand a lot more about the benefits of oysters within an ecosystem. Where there are oyster reefs, you can also find juvenile fish, crabs, sea snails, sponges and more! By reintroducing European flat oysters to the Firth of Forth, we’re creating a sanctuary for a vast array of marine life. Recent research suggests that by restoring healthy oyster beds, biodiversity could potentially double over a 10-year period.

Restoration Forth was recently announced as a finalist at the Nature of Scotland Awards.

The aim of Restoration Forth, a partnership with communities and organisations, is to restore 4 hectares of seagrass meadows and European flat oyster beds in the Firth of Forth. Partners delivering Restoration Forth include WWF, Edinburgh Shoreline, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Heriot Watt University, Marine Conservation Society, Project Seagrass, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scottish Seabird Centre, The Ecology Centre, and The Heart of Newhaven Community.

This three-year programme has been made possible by funding from Aviva, the Moondance Foundation, the ScottishPower Foundation, and Sky; this project is also supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, facilitated by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund, and managed by NatureScot.

PICTURE: ANDREW PERRY

Victoria Primary School Head Teacher Rhian Chapman cuts the ribbon with some of the pupils that were involved in the mural design workshops

Christmas at the Botanics 2024 set to sparkle with new installations

THE Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is preparing to immerse visitors in a glittering winter spectacle. Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Christmas at the Botanics trail.

Running from 21 November to 30 December, the outdoor trail will once again transform the Garden with an array of new and fantastical installations that have been custom-designed especially for the Botanics by a selection of international and UK-based artists.

The latest new installations confirmed for the trail include:

Candles will drift over visitors as theyflicker and cast their undulating light to create a warm and festive atmosphere. This installation will transport Potterheads to the world of witchcraft and wizardry as it evokes the magic of Hogwarts’ Great Hall. Designed by Pitaya, a French creative studio.
One Small Thing projects a combination of wildlife imagery and winter foliage with impactful environmental messaging onto a pathway for visitors to interact with as they walk past. This innovative installation will incorporate the Garden’s mission to protect the planet’s biodiversity by encouraging visitors to do one small thing and make space for nature. Created by Novak.
Firework Trees will shower shoots of light through tree branches, bringing them to life with vibrant bursts of colour that bounce from branch to branch. Created by Ithaca Studio.

All the new and returning installations along the one-mile illuminated trail are low in energy and have been selected to complement the Botanics’ environment.

Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Simon Milne said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the new installations on the trail, which is promising to be innovative, imaginative and entertaining.

“Visiting the Garden after dark is a special experience and Christmas at the Botanics offers the chance for visitors to see our botanical collection of plants from a very different perspective.

“The trail brings significant benefits to us. We are a Scottish charity, and ticket sales from Christmas at the Botanics help to fund our international plant research, conservation work and education programmes. So please come along to the trail, bring your friends and family, have some festive fun and help to support our vital work.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot.

For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please click here.

For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Botanics’ Herbarium celebrates milestone achievement

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s (RBGE) project to digitise its renowned Herbarium collection has reached a significant milestone as it celebrates the digitisation of its one millionth specimen.

The digitisation project aims to bridge the gap between the collection and the public by making data visible on an accessible platform – taking an innovative approach to scientific data sharing.

In line with this commitment to empower learners and share their resources, the Garden invited the Expedition Botanics – Secondary Summer Club, a group of 15–18-year-olds with a budding passion for science, to get behind-the-scenes access to the digitisation process of the millionth specimen.

To celebrate the milestone the Herbarium, which holds an ever-growing collection of over three million specimens, RBGE has digitised a specimen of Stereocaulon vesuvianum. The specimen, which is a species of lichen*, was collected by Dr Rebecca Yahr, Lichenologist at the Garden, during an expedition up Ben Nevis to mark 250 years since the first recorded climb up the historic mountain.

The landmark expedition was part of RBGE’s contribution to the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project, a groundbreaking genome-sequencing programme aimed at unlocking DNA sequences of all the species in Great Britain and Ireland.

By examining plant and fungal lineages and their characteristics, the Garden works collaboratively with partner organisations, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh, to reflect on plants’ ancestry – plantcestry – uncovering invaluable insight into how life on Earth has evolved and how we can support global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Rebecca Yahr said: “Scotland has an important role in international conservation, particularly for lichens. Celebrating the milestone with this important specimen is an exciting opportunity for us to highlight Scotland’s unique biodiversity and extend RBGE’s mission to research and understand lichens more generally.”

The Garden’s Herbarium is home to species from 157 countries – an impressive scientific collection which was historically hard to access. The digitised platform, which showcases the rich and diverse plant lineage, now sees requests come in from across the globe from students, scientists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Closer to the community, the Garden’s Secondary Summer School had the opportunity to engage with the living collection as well as apply their learnings to the natural world. One of the lucky youngsters, 15-year-old Bernice Nwagu, was selected to digitise the millionth specimen, highlighting the Garden’s commitment to investing in future generations and sparking their curiosity in career paths within the industry.

The vibrant working collection, which traces back 350 years, is being digitised into high-resolution images that can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection. It demonstrates not only Scotland’s biodiversity but details regions around the world where RBGE has worked in partnership with local experts for generations.

Democratising access to reference collections such as the Garden’s provides scientists around the globe with an enriched understanding of the environment in their quest to conserve our fragile habitats.

Leading the digitisation project, Professor Olwen Grace, Deputy Director of Science (Collection) and Curator of the Herbarium said: “Being able to share this information with scientific communities as well as the public allows us to develop a more robust understanding of biodiversity challenges and the solutions that can help us build resilience to shifting climates.

“As biodiversity scientists, it’s both the best and worst time for us to be working. It is far easier to share and translate our work on plant lineages to produce models that demonstrate direct impacts and help us tackle problems at national and global scales; however, the acceleration of climate change means that we are in a race against time.

“At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we see it as our moral imperative to share this information, especially when we are facing a global biodiversity crisis.”

As part of the Garden’s commitment to building a positive future for biodiversity and providing access to the collection that represents half to two-thirds of the world’s flora, the digitisation process has followed the ‘FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship’. This has ensured the data has been standardised in terms of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability of digital assets.

New research reveals nearly a quarter of Scottish children have NEVER had an eye test

SPECSAVERS has launched its first ever ‘eye screen’ van to put children’s eye health and eye tests at the top of parents’ agendas.

Popping up at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, the van was not only equipped with ice lollies, but also visual screeners, to help identify any potential eyesight problems in children and alert their parents if they required a more thorough eye test.

The activity comes as new research conducted by Specsavers among parents in Scotland with kids aged 4-16, revealed that almost a quarter (22%) of children of this age have never had an eye test, and a further 12% haven’t had one in two years or longer.

This is despite 15% of parents in Scotland saying their child had experienced problems at school which could be linked to vision. The most common issues raised includes struggling to see the whiteboard (43%), experiencing discomfort because they are straining to see (36%) or having to move to the front of the classroom to see (21%).

Little progress has been in the last 15 years as research carried out by Specsavers in 2009, showed just under a quarter (23%) of UK children aged between 3-12 had never had an eye test.^[1]

The latest survey found the most common reasons parents across Scotland haven’t taken their child for an eye test is because they don’t know how frequently they need to go (33%) or they have no visible problems (17%). Other reasons include parents not being advised that their child needs an eye test (17%) or knowing at what age they should have one (17%).

Specsavers clinical services director Giles Edmonds said: ‘A lot of parents assume that because their child doesn’t display any signs of a vision problem, there’s no need to have their eyes tested.

‘However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Ensuring your child has regular eye examinations from an early age is incredibly important for several reasons. Given more than 80 per cent of our learning, cognitive and social abilities are facilitated through our sight, it’s extremely important to your child’s overall development.

‘Poor eyesight can cause learning and behavioural problems. Conditions such as squinting and amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated more effectively if they are picked up earlier, which could make a huge difference to your child. An eye test doesn’t just check vision. It can also detect other underlying health conditions.’

The research also found that during school holidays, parents across Scotland have a back-to-school list of around 10 to 11 tasks, including everything from buying new school unforms (55%), shoe fittings (52%) and labelling personal items (45%). However, eye tests ranked lower (42%) alongside dental checks (42%).

Giles adds: “We understand how many things parents have to think about, especially during the summer holidays and before the new school year starts.

“By showing up with our eye screen van, we hope we’ve put eye tests on parents’ radars as they play a significant role in setting children up for a happy and fulfilling school life.”

The research also found children in Scotland are reluctant to get their eyes tested. Nearly a half (48%) think it will hurt and nearly one in five just don’t want glasses (19%).

To combat this, Specsavers is looking at ways to make a visit to the opticians more fun with the launch of its friendly ‘Optomonsters’. Customers will start to notice the Optomonsters popping up in stores nationwide soon.

The Fascinating World of Fungi sheds new light on nature’s hardest worker

Fungi’s role in aiding plant life, conservation and much more revealed in new book

Fungi have long been the subject of stark misconceptions. At times they are labelled as dangerous killers to be avoided at all costs when, without fungi, almost all plant life would perish.

While much of our planet has been explored, it is believed that only 10% of Earth’s fungal species have been discovered. Perhaps the most misunderstood and misrepresented of all groups of organisms, fungi are essentially nature’s unsung heroes, silently shaping our ecosystems for the better.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will publish The Fascinating World of Fungi on 1^st August 2024, providing an accessible introduction to these often-hidden life forms.

A revised edition of the 2010 title From Another Kingdom: The Amazing World of Fungi, this updated book features a new foreword, additional imagery and insightful explanations about fungi.

Fungi are constantly decomposing organic matter and forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots. They are the ultimate recyclers and soil enrichers. With their remarkable ability to break down pollutants and support plant growth, fungi are a crucial component of a thriving and balanced environment.

This new edition, The Fascinating World of Fungi, explores the incredibly diverse impact fungi have on life on Earth.

In the realm of modern medicine, fungi emerge as astonishing allies. From ancient traditions to cutting-edge research, fungi have been harnessed for their medicinal power, offering innovative solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing health challenges.

With compounds like penicillin leading the charge against bacterial infections, and recent breakthroughs uncovering the anticancer properties of compounds derived from mushrooms, fungi stand as beacons of hope in the quest for novel therapies.

As scientists delve deeper into the intricate world of fungal biology, the future holds promise for even more ground-breaking discoveries, paving the way for a new era of healing inspired by the wonders of the fungal kingdom.

As well as its insights into science and medicine, the book provides links to popular culture, and updated sections on foraging and conservation.

Commenting on the publication of The Fascinating World of Fungi, editor Max Coleman explained: “Fungi are massively misunderstood. While it’s true that some fungi can cause us problems, for the most part fungi play an integral role in the functioning of life on Earth.

“As root partners, they release the essential nutrients needed for plants to flourish. Gaining and recycling nutrients from dead plants and animals, fungi are essential for our survival and prosperity.”

With contributions from the diverse perspectives of 14 authors, the new release from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a fantastic gateway into all things fungi.

The Fascinating World of Fungi is published by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on 1^st August 2024 and is available to pre-order now.

Christmas at the Botanics – a trail of botanical brilliance and festive fun

The world of plants takes centre stage at this year’s ‘Christmas at the Botanics’ opening this evening, Thursday 16 November with new installations and a reimagined route around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The illuminated after-dark trail runs for 37 nights on selected evenings during November and December, weaving through 72 acres of the Botanics. Visitors are invited to enjoy awe-inspiring plant-inspired installations of up to 2,000 White Roses, a grove of colourful Pampas and a spectacular Rainbow Hedge.

A fantastic night out for friends and family, visitors will also enjoy firm festive favourites including Christmas Cathedral, a tunnel of thousands of twinkling lights, and Santa who is on hand to greet everyone along the way.

This year, with the introduction of off-peak tickets, it is the most affordable, accessible and inclusive trail yet. Profits from ticket sales support the Botanics’ plant research and conservation efforts in Scotland and beyond.

New installations for 2023:

• Crocus Lawn: Like the familiar spring-time flowers, these one-metre-high crocuses are bursting with light and colour.

• Light A Wish: These suspended lights celebrate the moment when dandelion seeds disperse.

• Neon Flowers: Inspired by the world of natural light, giant glowing flowers sparkle against the night sky.

• Rainbow Hedge: The Botanics’ 165-metre beech hedge is awash with the colours of the rainbow.

• White Roses: 2,000 illuminated white roses will be displayed in spectacular style by the Rock Garden and East Gate.

• Inverleith House Show: A fun, animation projected onto the façade of Inverleith House is inspired by plants, from holly and ivy to mistletoe and vines, and from sage to thyme.

Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, says: “Christmas at the Botanics is a fantastic way of introducing our visitors to the Garden landscape after dark, a chance to experience what might be familiar from a whole new perspective, and to enjoy a spectacular and fun trail.

“I’m delighted that this year’s trail is inspired by all things botanical, acknowledging the amazing conservation work undertaken by the Garden around the world and our vision to build a positive future for plants, people and the planet.”

Christmas at the Botanics is one of eleven outdoor illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

Over 90% of the lights used for Christmas at the Botanics are LED and the trail designers are skilled at working in environmentally sensitive ways in heritage and landscape settings.

Tickets for this year’s show are available to buy now. Attendees are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.