Seeds inspire students in Tasmania

It’s not just our scientists who are fascinated by seeds – they’re a source of wonder for school students too. Nel Smit explains their role in our Tasmanian education work.

As well as learning about the science behind seeds, Cressy District High School Kinder students have been participating in the practical restoration of the Midlands Biodiversity Hotspot.

With the help of grade five and six students, the kinder group germinated 250 seeds that have been raised and tagged to their parent trees from Tasmanian provenance stock. The trees included Eucalyptus pauciflora and Eucalyptus ovata which are being grown on farms as part of the large-scale Midlands restoration program.

wrap up session

The kindergarten students are looking forward to watching their trees grow over the next ten years as they move through their school years. After caring for their babies over the next year they will invite their parents to come and help plant them on the school farm and help to restore the biodiversity of this critical habitat.

Patrick Hall

Seeds have also inspired artist Patrick Hall. One of the drawers of his tree sculpture at the Sustainability Learning Centre opens to a mandala of Tasmanian seeds.

Mandala of Tasmanian seeds

The sculpture caught the attention of Mount Nelson Primary Students and Hobart College students who collected and cultivated Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus ovata seeds to support critical habitat for the Swift Parrot, a threatened species in the area.

Students planting

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