This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow Science scheme of work. In this video, we meet Mark, a botanist – a scientist who studies plants. Mark works all over the country, sometimes using a computer to write about plants or talk to other scientists, and other times heading outside to search for wild plants. Botanists are like plant detectives. Mark uses a special tool called a hand lens to look closely at leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, and roots.

When a new plant is found, a sample is taken and kept in a herbarium, a special collection where dried, pressed plants are stored and labelled. Mark teaches others to appreciate the natural world and finds all plants fascinating – even sneaky ones like parasitic plants that steal food. Plants are essential for life. They give us food, fresh air, and shelter for animals. If you love plants, you might want to study botany one day or join a plant club. You can even start now by exploring a local park and taking a closer look with your own hand lens.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of Science, Key stage 1, Year 2, Living things: Microhabitats, Lesson 6: What is a botanist?