Year 8 visit Kew Gardens

Experiencing firsthand some of the wonderful biomes of the world!

On the 2nd October 2014, a crisp autumn day, Year 8 students from Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School embarked on an exciting educational trip to Kew Gardens, one of the world’s most prestigious botanical gardens. The visit aimed to enhance their understanding of plant adaptations, with a focus on rainforest ecosystems and desert vegetation. The highlight of the trip was the Palm House, a stunning Victorian glass structure housing a variety of tropical plants. Students learned about the unique adaptations of rainforest plants that enable them to thrive in a humid environment with limited sunlight. For instance, many plants have broad leaves that maximise light absorption, while others exhibit drip tips to allow excess water to run off, preventing fungal growth. The towering palms, ferns, and exotic flowers captivated the students, who eagerly took notes and sketched their favourite plants. Comments from students included: “Seeing the massive leaves of the banana plant was incredible” and “I never knew they had evolved that way to survive in such a dense forest!”

Next, the group made their way to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, where they explored the diverse adaptations of plants native to hot desert environments. The students learned about succulents, such as cacti, which store water in their thick, fleshy stems. They also discovered how many desert plants have developed spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss and protect themselves from herbivores. The students found it fascinating that some plants can survive with so little water.

The day concluded with a stroll along the Treetop Walkway, a unique structure that allows visitors to experience the garden from a different perspective. Elevated 18 metres above ground, the walkway offers stunning views of the garden and a close-up look at the canopy of trees. As they walked, students experienced what it would be like to be in the canopy of the forest. The walkway even swayed slightly to simulate what it would be like in this layer of the forest. Walking among the treetops felt like being in a different world.

The trip to Kew Gardens was not just an enjoyable outing; it provided invaluable lessons about biodiversity and the remarkable adaptations of plants. As the students returned to school, they were eager to share their newfound knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world with their classmates.