Ecologists at the University of Aberdeen have come up with an innovative way of engaging first year ecology and environment students.
Dr Martyn Gorman, Reader of Zoology and Pete Smith, Professor of Soils & Global Change,who both teach in the School of Biological Sciences, are running an inter-disciplinary competition bridging the gap between the sciences and the arts based on the ecology and environment of the University Campus.
The competition will involve students identifying an aspect of the ecology and environment of the Campus - to analyse it and to interpret it in any medium with which they are comfortable, for example, poem, prose, essay, photograph, montage, sculpture, video, songs, music, or sound.
Dr Gorman said: "In today's society, ecologists face the challenge of outlining to undergraduates the important concepts of ecology and environmental science, and to show them how important they are to the future wellbeing of mankind.
"At the same time, they do not want simply to deliver an austere academic view of the natural world. It is their responsibility to instil an appreciation of the beauty and value of nature that will remain with students throughout their lives. This will guide and influence the way that they interact with plants, animals and the environment. They want their students to engage with the living world at all levels as part of their general education."
Professor Smith added: "We are delighted that RPS plc has generously agreed to finance major annual prizes for this exciting new venture. RPS is an international consultancy providing advice for the development of natural resources, land and property, the management of the environment and the health and safety of people."
Dr David Hockin, a graduate of the University and now Managing Director of RPS' Planning and Development business in Scotland is well aware of the needs of integrating practical environmental science with sound design and master-planning. He said: "Only by integrating the multidisciplinary skills of scientists, engineers and artists and viewing the problems facing today's society through the many facets of their different skills-base will it be possible to create a truly sustainable future."
Full details about the competition will be available online at the start of the new term in early January 2008.