These last two months have been an eye opener, and it’s not the diatoms that have done it this time. I’ve been doing quite a few public workshops and community engagement events and I have found that although microorganisms are hard to see, they are very easy to imagine. The looks on the faces of children say it all. They seem taken aback, excited to see creatures swimming around on the big screen in amongst an alien landscape of magnified dirt or seaweed. I then explain what the microscope is doing. We follow the wires from the monitor to the microscope and down to a little light, shining on a small glass square. This is when I know if the penny has dropped or not. For most children this realisation is magical – there are such things as invisible friends, we are giants, there is life happening and we cannot see it. I can’t always see that in every child’s reaction – I may have pulled a distracting face, talked to fast, or they may be well aware of their place in the universe. Who knows? I am learning though, learning how to convey my message to people of all ages and backgrounds. Learning that there’s a fine line between enthusing and showing off – and when you show off, the kids will have you!
Me: “Have you ever heard of a diatom? It’s a tiny plant and it’s made of glass!!!!”
Kid: “Did you know that worms eat you when you die?”
I was well and truly taught a lesson.
With all the activities and interactive displays, it wasn’t hard trying to convince people that plants are fascinating.
I was very proud to see some of my diatom colouring in sheets making their way into the Crazy Plant competition!
I also teamed up with the Maritime Museum (another branch of National Museums Liverpool) to deliver an educational event, called DockWatch, at the Albert Dock. There were conservation charities and cultural attractions like Sea Life promoting their outreach, all raising awareness for the work that they do and celebrating the improving biodiversity of our rivers and shores.
To highlight the point we had lots to show off: tanks full of jellyfish, mussels, sea squirts, sponge, crabs, starfish, shrimp, prawns, barnacles.
The weather was great and there was a high footfall. It seems we arranged our event at the same time as a retro fashion fair, classic car meet and brilliant sunshine. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood to be dazzled by our displays – the jellyfish were a firm favourite.
Lastly I’d like to mention the local TCV office.
I Joined Neil from Pex Hill and his regular volunteers at a local school where they had been revamping a thicket of willow and birch, creating new habitats with log piles and by excavating a pond.
This small wooded area has been beautified with a willow archway entrance, a dipping platform and a collection of wood carvings by Roy Bouffler – ‘Green Men’ and owl statues in amongst the trees where branches had been lopped off!
Join in, feel good!
Find out more about Natural Talent
Find out more about Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Find out more about World Museum Liverpool