Botanic Garden

Botanica

A staffed educational experience at the University of Leicester Botanic Garden

Botanica is an exciting, cross-curricula simulation activity held annually at the Botanic Garden. The Garden becomes Botanica, a developing country, for the day and everyone takes on the role of its citizens, e.g. government workers, journalists, plantation workers, shanty town dwellers, scientists, herbalists, artists, musicians, bankers, workers in the tourist industry or health service, etc. Each role has an activity with a specific outcome, for example the journalists produce newspapers, the herbalists make healing balms and the scientists report on the plant and animal wildlife. Part way through the day the government announces that the country has been invited to bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. Should it do so? Lobbying, leafleting and presentations are organised by the citizens and the day finishes with a vote.

The day provides opportunities to explore many development issues, such as use of the environment, impact of tourism, effect of debt and workers rights and conditions. In addition it encourages participants to practice and develop a variety fo skills, including problem solving, presentation, organisation, communication, team working and decision making. Members of various sectors of the local community work alongside the students, bringing their own areas of expertise.

Preparation in advance of the day itself is limited to one INSET twilight session for the lead teachers, usually in May, and one homework exercise for the students.

Availability: usually three days in early July.

Age group: KS3/4/5.

Numbers: three or four schools participate on each Botanica day, each bringing about 30 students.

Times: 9.30am to 3.45pm, i.e. a full school day.

Cost: by arrangement.

For more information please contact:-
Education Officer, University of Leicester Botanic Garden,
Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leics., LE2 2NE
Phone/fax: 0116-271-2933
Email: botanicgarden@le.ac.uk