Hooker & Kew
An exciting new partnership with Kew Gardens helped us explore our heritage through Hooker’s expeditions and plant migrations.
Extending our innovation in creating non-institutional learning spaces, this work introduces a fresh dimension combining creative learning with outdoor and nature-based activities, enhancing wellbeing by reducing the isolation of students confined by health-related obstacles.
Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund
Exploring Plant Heritage with Kew Botanists
Following in the footsteps of Joseph Hooker we explored plant species and migration. We created portfolios, treks, maps, and 3D flowers. We achieved an Arts Award certificate for our hard work.
The Mindset of Hooker - How we became Explorers
Cam, Steve, Tom and Clare – the curators at Kew Gardens explained how Joseph Hooker who was a friend of Charles Darwin brought back new species of plants that forever changed the ecology of the English countryside.
Plant Journeys
We learned how to use maps and think about how we would arrange an expedition to bring back rare and exotic plants. Cam Sharp Jones at Kew explained the different preservation techniques used.
The Beauty of Flora- Chelsea Physic Garden, Richmond Park, Kew Gardens
For some of us we mainly see flowers on the hospital ward – but this project gave us the opportunity to see them in more natural environments such as Chelsea Physic Garden, Kew Gardens and in Richmond Park.
Hydrangea at Kew Gardens
Heaven on Earth.
Arts Award
Forty four of us achieved our Arts Award. Because we have missed school this was our first formal qualification – but we hope it won’t be the last!
3D Flower Models for our Flora Romantica
Do you like our 3D flowers – we aimed for rare and wild and jurassic! We learned about how exotic species of plants were cultivated at Kew. We worked with great artists to make 3D models for our version of Hookers Flora Indica – Flora Romantica.
Worksheets, Games, Quizzes & Experiences
Learning never stops if you keep your mind open! Protege Artists and student-trainees worked with us to create worksheets and games that would help us learn in fun way so that we can use learn to become more clever and find our place in the world.
Living Heritage: Young British Entrepreneurs
For the second part of the project we looked at young British entrepreneurs. Young people who have explored their own interests and skills and found non-traditional ways to engage with the world around them.
Entrepreneur and Creative Design Worksheets
We had sessions on everything from designing our own Jam to calculating profit from selling our old junk online!
Letter Writing
We even learned the importance of writing letters, even in today’s world when there is email. A young entrepreneur Charlotte Pearce started her own business writing letters for other people. They liked it because it had a personal touch!
Joseph Dalton Hooker
The man who inspired us – and made Kew Gardens the incredible place it is today.
