The decline in the knowledge of biological species poses a major challenge to UNESCO's efforts to raise public awareness of biodiversity and sustainability. "The blindness towards biodiversity particularly affects plants as immobile parts of nature. Since April, we have been addressing this problem in the project 'Augenöffner-Artenkenntnis', which is being funded for two years by the Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre as part of the 'Freiraum 2025' funding initiative," reports project manager Prof Dr Gertrud Lohaus.

The aim of project-based study is to raise students' awareness of plants in their everyday lives and encourage them to take a closer look at the topic and encourage others to do the same. "Plants are literally all around us - and yet we often look past them," says Dr Antje Wehner, who is leading the course in the summer semester. "With the project week, we want to change this view - in a low-threshold, creative and interactive way."

Student projects from 2 to 6 June:

Tree of plant diversity
A hands-on project: students, teaching staff and guests are invited to write the name of a plant on a piece of paper and attach it to a growing "tree of species knowledge". Together, they create a visible symbol of diversity. The tree, which is around 1.90 metres tall, will be set up in the foyer of Building K at the start of the project week, with accompanying material on various plants rounding off the programme.

PlantTok - plants on social media
Short videos on Instagram present plants that grow directly on campus. Fun facts and illustrative reels on the channel of the school of mathematics and natural sciences convey plant knowledge in an entertaining way - digitally and close to everyday life.

PlantWalk BUW - plant safari on campus
Three QR code stations at central campus points (at Building VW, the entrance to Buildings L and N and at the Sport & Design cafeteria) invite you to take a short, interactive plant tour. The ten-minute "biparcours" make it possible to experience biodiversity on everyday paths, for example to the dining hall or the multi-storey car park.

Krautschau - looking instead of hacking away
The project invites students, staff and visitors to rediscover the often overlooked wild plants on campus. The aim of the campaign is to label so-called "ruderal plants" - plants that grow on paths, walls and between paving stones - with chalk and thus raise awareness of their ecological importance. There is an explanatory flyer that can be used in digital and analogue form and contains information and fun facts about the plants as well as recipes.

PlantPause - mindfulness meets knowledge of species
In the style of the Krautschau project, short, guided walks are offered across the campus, during which participants learn exciting facts about selected plants on campus with the help of an interactive presentation. The PlantBreak will be accessible via QR codes in the library.