Plant Day 2017 events and photo contest!

On May 18, 2017, we join plant scientists around the globe to celebrate Fascination of Plants Day 2017. Now in its fourth year, Fascination of Plants Day aims to excite the public about the vital importance of plant science research. But Fascination of Plants Day can only work with the active participation of plant scientists, and we need your help to make it a success. Here are three ways to get involved:

Plan a Fascination of Plant Day Event

As the National Coordinator for all U.S. Fascination of Plant Day events, ASPB encourages you to organize an education or public outreach event at your institution. We hope to do our part to help break the 2013 record of 1,000 events around the globe. Ideas abound; but if you could use some help, here are a few of the events already planned:

i-Cultiver and the Carnegie Institution for Science (May 18): Middle School students will spend the afternoon with plants learning about how they shape our past, present, and future. The activity includes guided tours, presentations, and hands-on activities with plant collections.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln (May 18): Greenhouse doors open at 4 PM for public tour and hands-on event, which includes Venus Fly Trap feedings, Touch Plant giveaways, and more!

University of Arkansas (May 11, 15, and 19): Plant Imagining Consortium scientists and staff are hosting two elementary schools and one local high school.  During their visits, students will tour the plant research laboratories and perform hands-on activities focused on medicines for human health and aquaculture.

To submit your event for Plant Day, email your completed FoPD 2017 Event form to Natalie at plantday@aspb.org.  Events will be entered into the ASPB Event Raffle; posted at on the plantday.org USA page, where they can be viewed by the public; and shared on Twitter via #PlantDay.

 Enter the #PlantDayUSA Photo and Video Contest

ASPB is also hosting a video and photo contest! To participate, submit your best plant photo or video through social media using the hashtag #PlantDayUSA. Contest details and rules can be found on the ASPB website, along with photos entries from Plant Day 2015.

Spread the word about Fascination of Plant Day! Copy and paste these messages to your own social media channels:

Facebook: Enter the @ASPB social media contest by tagging your photos and videos of plants with #PlantDayUSA. On May 18, 2017, we join plant scientists around the globe to celebrate Fascination of Plants Day 2017. Now in its fourth year, Fascination of Plants Day aims to excite the public about the vital importance of plant science research. Learn more about how to get involved: http://aspb.org/education-outreach/public-engagement-outreach/fopd/plant-day-2017-contest-rules/

Twitter: Looking for inspiration to celebrate #PlantDay 2017? Learn what others are doing: http://www.plantday.org/usa.htm

For more information about Fascination of Plants Day, please visit the ASPB Plant Day 2017 page or contact Natalie at plantday@aspb.org.

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