The University of Aberdeen Natural History Centre’s popular free summer sessions entered week two on Monday (July 19) with more fun filled, hands-on activities for families and the public.
The sessions, held at the David Welch Winter Gardens in the city’s Duthie Park, are the latest instalment in a series of events hosted by the Centre that have been inspired by the United Nation’s International Year of Biodiversity 2010 - a worldwide initiative aimed at raising awareness of the variety, complexity and sheer spectacle of life on our planet.
For week two they will take on the theme A Glimpse at the Global concentrating on the incredible diversity of animals and plants that exist in distant habitats from all over the earth.
Each day will feature activities which investigate a particular habitat in more detail and consider the experience of the plants and animals that live there.
Running from 10am to 4pm each week day they will also offer an opportunity to take part in special workshops with a focus on different aspects of our world from tropical rainforests to the oceans.
On Tuesday (July 20) Laura Young from Satrosphere will look at the mega-beasties that live in tropical rainforests, on Wednesday dot.rural - the University of Aberdeen research hub which is investigating how digital technologies could transform rural communities, society and business – will explore sensors which can be used to monitor, track, and even tell the story of an animal's life.
Our oceans will be in the spotlight on Thursday as Dr Lizzie Molyneux from the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen explains how oceans cause the climate to be different in different parts of the world.
In addition, every day there will be a photographic exhibition in the Japanese Garden and arts and craft activities crafts relating to habitats throughout the world.
Marie Fish, Education Officer at the Natural History Centre, said: “There is an amazing variety of life on our planet and the way in which plants and animals have adapted to live in the far corners of the world is fascinating.
“Through these free and fun activities for children and young people we will introduce them to the variety, complexity and sheer spectacle of life on our planet.
“We had a great response to last week’s sessions from people of all ages and with a new programme for week two there will be something new to discover for repeat visitors as well as those coming along for the first time.”
For full details of the sessions visit www.abdn.ac.uk/nhc/events