Our Year 12 A Level Biologists had an amazing day exploring the sights and sounds at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew on Monday 17th June.
The morning started with an educator session where the students took part in role play scenarios that allowed them to see the diverse roles scientists, farmers, indigenous groups and corporate companies to name a few play in the maintaining diversity and preserving our precious flora and fauna. This was followed by a practical session in the Palm house exploring the various plants and their numerous uses and adaptations. To have had the live lesson within the greenhouse and see the plants that have been used to treat particular cancers was an insightful experience.
The afternoon was spent exploring the extensive site and viewing plants from across the globe in the Temperate greenhouse, Princess of Wales Conservatory, and the Waterlily House, as well as climbing the Treetop Walkway which provided magical views of the site from the tree canopy.
We were also incredibly fortunate to be present on the day the “Corpse flower” Titan Arum flowered- this plant blooms for 48 hours of the year producing a nauseous odour designed to attract pollinators!