200 Years of Gregor Mendel: Varied Birthday Program on July 23 and 24 at the Munich-Nymphenburg Botanical Garden
July 7, 2022
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Gregor Mendel’s birth, the Munich-Nymphenburg Botanic Garden, together with partners from science and education, is organizing the thematic focus “It’s the mixture that counts – hybrids in nature and culture”. A summer festival on July 23 and 24 will offer entertainment for all ages.
Many people are familiar with Gregor Mendel’s research work from biology lessons. Mendel formulated “Mendel’s Rules” after extensive crossing experiments of his own on peas: The Basis for Understanding Inheritance. “At the time, Gregor Mendel received little attention for his statistical evaluations. 200 years later, that has changed: Mendel is now considered the ‘father of genetics.’ We are therefore dedicating a thematic focus to him this year and celebrating his birthday with a special festive weekend,” says Prof. Dr. Gudrun Kadereit, Director of the Munich-Nymphenburg Botanic Garden.
Festive program on July 23 and 24
On July 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., visitors can learn more about the life of the explorer and monk. Führungen und Lesungen zum Themenschwerpunkt, das Binden von Blumenkränzen, Kinderschminken und ein lockeres Musikprogramm bilden einen festlichen Rahmen. Am Sonntag, 24. Juli lädt der Münchner GO SING CHOIR von 16 bis 18.30 Uhr zum gemeinsamen Proben ein. Alle können mitmachen und im Schmuckhof des Botanischen Gartens bei schönster Kulisse zusammen singen. Im BIOTOPIA Lab können die Gäste des Aktionswochenendes bei offenen Mitmach-Programmen selbst Hand anlegen und Antworten auf die zentralen Fragen der Mendelschen Vererbungslehre finden. Zum Einsatz kommen hier unter anderem die schnell wachsenden „Wisconsin Fast Plants“, die besonders anschauliche Erklärungen zu Mendels Entdeckungen liefern.
The Museum Education Center (MPZ) is hosting a workshop titled “Pollinating Like Gregor Mendel” that is suitable for adults and also families with children ages 8 and up. In this workshop, Mendel’s cross-pollination experiments can be vividly reproduced.
About the thematic focus “It’s the mixture that counts – hybrids in nature and culture”.
Since April, panels in the open air of the Botanic Garden have been informing visitors about the life of the Augustinian monk and introducing the topic of hybridization in the plant world. In beds specially designed for the thematic focus, hybrids and cultivated products are shown next to their wild relatives. The program in the garden will be accompanied by guided tours, a series of scientific lectures in the lecture hall of the Botanical Institute, and events and hands-on activities in the BIOTOPIA Lab and the Museum Mensch und Natur. All events of the thematic focus will be listed on the Botanic Garden’s homepage as well as on the partners’ websites. The focus ends on September 18, 2022.
In cooperation with:
BIOTOPIA – Naturkundemuseum Bayern, Museum Mensch und Natur, Museumspädagogisches Zentrum (MPZ)