Plant Power resources

Resources and activities for all to enjoy. It is based on the research undertaken by our plant scientists in the university and at the James Hutton Institute

Genetics Garden information boards

An area of the botanic gardens, there are two information boards sticking out of flower beds, in front of a stone wall. There are large trees on the other side of the wall.

The Genetics Garden forms part of the Botanic Garden’s Garden of Evolution. Information boards are available for visitors to read covering the following topics: The Garden of Evolution, The Genetics Garden, Plant Genetics History, Gregor Mendal, and Barley.

Read the information boards

Healthy Plants – How to grow your own crops quiz

Journey through the life of a plant—from seed to harvest—by answering fun, quiz-style questions. The game board features a path of hexagonal tiles representing plant growth stages, with three levels of difficulty: lettuce, tomato, and barley. Use veggie counters and answer questions to help your plant thrive (move forward), stagnate (stay), or suffer (move back).

The game is designed for upper primary aged children.

Download resources to create the game

Soil Safari

A small child wearing an animal themed bucket hat protective gloves, putting some dirt and grass blades into a petri dish.

Soil Safari is fun journey to get to know some of the most important groups of organisms that live in soil and the important roles they perform for ecosystems. The activity includes facts, colouring sheets, and activities. This activity is aimed to ages 3-13 years old.

Download the Soil Safari activity packs

Plant microbiome to the rescue

Paper cut out shapes to show plant microbiome

Did you know that 95% of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils? And that a single gram of healthy soils contains a million microorganisms, the microbiome, capable of interacting with plants? Join us in this animated science project to unravel the dialogue between plants and microbes in soil and discover how farmers littlest helpers can sustain food security globally. Aimed at all ages.

Watch our Plant microbiome to the rescue video

How can understanding plants and microorganisms help feed the world?

View of a barley field with a river and hills in the distance

Dr Davide Bulgarelli, a scientist of the University of Dundee, based at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, is studying the interaction between plants and soil microbes. The findings could boost sustainable food production and help achieve global food security. This resource is aimed at secondary school pupils (12 – 18 years).

Read the resource pack

Potatoes from the past helping those today

A person holds a mobile phone looking at data with plants in a greenhouse

Learn how the Commonwealth Potato Collection at the James Hutton Institute is helping scientists from the Hutton and University of Dundee to create new disease resistant potato varieties. Aimed at 12 years and above. Video includes audio described version.

Watch our video on new disease resistant potato varieties

Investigating barley growth and development

A scientist testing barley in a greenhouse

Barley is Scotland’s main cereal crop. It is used for animal feed, as well as in the brewing and malting industries, making it a vital part of our economy.Aimed at 12 years and above. Video includes audio described version.

See how our plant scientists based at the James Hutton Institute study barley grain

Wee Garden Wander

A map of gardens around the city of Dundee

As part of Dundee's Wee Green Wander for Doors Open Day 2022, we’ve created a trail of science-themed gardens across the city. Take a self-guided trail of science-themed gardens across Dundee.

Download a free garden trial map

Plant Power 2021

Two older adults standing in some long grass surrounded by trees, looking into a pond.

In 2021, our Plant Power event was a self-guided trail with information panels and accompanying activities hosted online. These are the resources created for that event. Topics covered include flighting plant pests and diseases, meiosis and recombination, DNA, Ethiopian Barley Collection, Commonwealth Potato Collection and the Honeyberry.

Download information boards and associated activities

The WeeCAIR Medicinal Garden activity pack and talk

Created in partnership with the Botanic Garden, the WeeCAIR Medicinal Garden shares the story of where some of our medicines come from. Many that we use today come from the active ingredients found in plants. The Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (CAIR) built a public garden with many of these types of plants. All the plants in the garden have an active ingredient which medicine is made from, or a link to herbalism. 

This accompanying activity pack includes information and activities linked to the garden. Aimed at primary age children.

Watch our video about the garden. Aimed at secondary school pupils and adults.