Hairy wood ants build mounds that stay warmer than the surrounding soil by thatching the nest-tops and moving the thatch as it heats or cools, creating a solar-powered roof… say scientists in the Peak District National Park.
Discover more fascinating facts about life in the national park at two ‘Science in the Park’ events this autumn: Saturday November 2, at the Peveril Centre, Castleton, S33 8WP (next to Castleton visitor centre), 10.30am to 4pm. Saturday November 9, at the Town Hall, Bakewell, DE45 1BT (close to Bakewell visitor centre), 10.30am to 4pm.
Both events are free of charge with plenty of fun science activities for children and adults. The events are being organised by the Peak District National Park Authority as part of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Festival of Social Science.
Digital microscopes and other scientific equipment will be available for people to observe the natural world in close up.
People visiting ‘Science in the Park’ will be able to take part in some real experiments and research projects at each event. Local scientists and university researchers will be on hand to talk about their Peak District studies and explain how their findings are important for the national park and the people who live there and visit.
More information at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about.