Green 'tech' trail boost for 'Botanic'
An interactive green technology trail featuring a range of micro-scale renewable energy demonstrators – from a mini wind turbine to pedal powered machines – is to be created at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
The news was announced today by Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, during a visit to the Garden with Professor John Harries, Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales.
It is seen as a significant boost to extend and develop the Garden’s educational work linked to biodiversity, energy and the environment.
Funding of £28,500 from the Welsh Assembly Government, through the National Science Academy, will support the STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Sustainable Futures technology trail, with an additional £42,000 to host an internationally acclaimed exhibition at the Garden illustrating the vital role that fungi play in the health of people and the planet.
The Deputy Minister said both projects will build on and complement existing facilities at the Garden and strengthen its role as an internationally recognised centre for conservation, education, and research.
The STEM sustainable futures trail, which is planned to open in Climate Change week this March, will, she said, create a unique educational resource for South West Wales and the rural community.
“I am delighted to announce this funding today which will support work already carried out at the Garden and enable it to extend and communicate its activities while also providing an exciting new family visitor attraction.
“The trail will help highlight the links between science, sustainability and biodiversity and help promote greater understanding of the importance and relevance of STEM subjects in all these areas.
“We need to encourage more people to take up science-related subjects and the Garden plays an extremely proactive role working with schools stimulating the interest of learners through a portfolio of curriculum-linked activities and events, ranging from botany to beekeeping.
“On a higher level, the Garden is rapidly becoming an internationally recognised centre for plant sciences research and is helping to train the next generation of plant experts."
The news was announced today by Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, during a visit to the Garden with Professor John Harries, Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales.
It is seen as a significant boost to extend and develop the Garden’s educational work linked to biodiversity, energy and the environment.
Funding of £28,500 from the Welsh Assembly Government, through the National Science Academy, will support the STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Sustainable Futures technology trail, with an additional £42,000 to host an internationally acclaimed exhibition at the Garden illustrating the vital role that fungi play in the health of people and the planet.
The Deputy Minister said both projects will build on and complement existing facilities at the Garden and strengthen its role as an internationally recognised centre for conservation, education, and research.
The STEM sustainable futures trail, which is planned to open in Climate Change week this March, will, she said, create a unique educational resource for South West Wales and the rural community.
“I am delighted to announce this funding today which will support work already carried out at the Garden and enable it to extend and communicate its activities while also providing an exciting new family visitor attraction.
“The trail will help highlight the links between science, sustainability and biodiversity and help promote greater understanding of the importance and relevance of STEM subjects in all these areas.
“We need to encourage more people to take up science-related subjects and the Garden plays an extremely proactive role working with schools stimulating the interest of learners through a portfolio of curriculum-linked activities and events, ranging from botany to beekeeping.
“On a higher level, the Garden is rapidly becoming an internationally recognised centre for plant sciences research and is helping to train the next generation of plant experts."
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