Plant Thinking: Exploring Greener Possibilities

Glasgow-based plant-thinker and scientist Dr Emily May Armstrong came to Huntly to take us on a journey through identity, nature, and plant-thinking in a practical workshop at Square Deal.

 

In this three-part participatory workshop we were learning about genetics and identity; exploring the science behind why time in nature feels so good; and we were learning ways to think collectively and organise like a plant. At the end of the workshop, the plan was to work together to create a collage poem inspired by what we've all learnt and experienced, facilitated by our artist in residence Hussein Mitha – but Emily's knowledge was so incredible that we got completely carried away and forgot about time!

 

Plant Thinking was a three hour workshop which got us thinking about our place in nature and how to embrace our similarities and differences for collective goals, all while learning to think collaboratively in our communities.
2pm – 3.40pm: Emily's presentation and activities
3.40pm – 4pm: Break for tea, coffee, chat
4-5pm: Reading, Writing, Collaging together

Dr Emily May Armstrong is a plant-thinker, plant scientist, and award-winning science communicator. Specialising in doing, making, seeing, and being – Emily is an expert voice in disability, genetics, and plant life. Emily currently works as a researcher for the Universities of Bristol and Glasgow, and when not working – is usually found swimming, camping, and bothering plants. 

 

This workshop is a part of The World is Ours, In Spite of All, a project with artist and educator Hussein Mitha. The project explores how young people can be involved in reversing climate change, considering education and its challenges in a time of climate emergency, with an aim to cultivate an ethos of inspiration, cooperation, connection and solidarity to rise to those challenges.