Under the Microscope
Sphagnum cell
In 2018, 70 pupils from McLaren High School (S3), Thornhill Primary (P5,6 &7) and Port of Menteith Primary (5,6 & 7) were involved in the project Flanders Moss Under the Microscope. The pupils observed close up bog plants using hand lenses and took photographs with macro-lens adapters. They also made field sketches of their chosen plant. The pupils had an initial introduction to the bog with Reserve Manager Dave Pickett and were shown the special adaptations for bog life of Sundew (insectivorous), Cotton Grass (special channels to allow oxygen to get to the roots); Sphagnum moss (cellular structure to allow water to be taken up like a sponge); cranberry (adapted underside of leaves for water capture); star moss (tussock forming to climb out of the water) and reindeer moss. They also learnt about the use and cultural heritage of the plants, for example Sphagnum for wound dressings (because of its sponge-like characteristics and almost sterile properties because of the lack of microbes in the anaerobic conditions of the bog); Star Moss for cordage and rope (because of its long stems which when twisted together make a strong rope); Cranberries in the kitchen; and Cotton Grass for medicinal uses and the flower heads for the grazing animal (because all the nutrients are concentrated in the seed head).
Some 60 pieces of finished art work were completed back at the school and by using microscopes and the project digital microscope. The exhibitions also included photographs of the children at work on the Moss and back at school. A piece of woven star moss was made using the 'cells ' made by the pupils. The two exhibitions were launched for Forth Valley Art Beat 7th - 17th June at the West Moss-side Centre and at the Scottish Natural Heritage Flanders Moss site along the Board walk and at the base of the Tower. The latter has remained up and will stay for the summer. The West Moss-side exhibition transferred to Callander Fest at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Callander 14th - 29th July. The exhibition held at the Callander Fest attracted 500 visitors, McLaren High School will also be showing the student's work in the autumn term.
This project achieved beyond our expectations. The young people were transfixed by the visual impacts of looking at bog plants close to and under the microscope. This is shown by the incredible high quality of all the art work from all ages of children. The feedback from the teachers and the children was amazing. So much so that Jessica and Kate are looking to do a similar project next summer. The children brought their parents to the exhibition and were able to tell them all about the life of plants on a bog! Thornhill Primary School children are known as the Moss-aholics!
We had the digital microscope set up at West Moss-side for the Forth Valley Art Beat exhibition with samples of the bog plants for all to see. There were some 300 visitors over the week who also benefited from seeing the work and the materials we used. The exhibition on Flanders Moss has highlighted the range of specialist plants to a wider audience. The pupils of the local primaries are familiar with the bog but many of those from the High School in Callander had never been to the Moss. So there was a raising of the profile for this very important and rare habitat. The digital microscope was bought by Thornhill Community Trust and is now a community resource and new biodiversity projects are being planned.
