From the Superintendent's Desk

Fun Science in the Park Event for Children

On 30 July, Scientists from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, and the Centre for Medicines Discovery arranged a day of science-focused activities for children in the University Parks. This free event was both fun and educational.

It was a huge success, with over 300 families attending during the day. Children of all ages were able to test their senses, learn about the muscles in their hearts and find out about their brains. 

When the University originally purchased the area that now forms the core of the Parks from Merton College in 1853, the primary motive was to secure land on which to build the University Museum as the focus for teaching science. The University soon realised that it had a significant opportunity for sport and recreation, leading to the purchase of further parcels of land to enlarge the Parks.

The University Parks have therefore had a dual function as a place for science and recreation for over 150 years, and the Science in the Park event brings together this twofold purpose for the benefit of the local community.

One of the activity exhibitions at the event was organised by the WIN Vision Group from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN). The group is planning a study to investigate the neural impact of eye patching therapy for children with lazy eye. Lazy eye (or amblyopia) is the most common cause of vision loss in children. The group is inviting both 5-8 year olds with lazy eye and 5-8 year olds with normal vision to take part in its research.

The commitment involves three study visits, during which participants will have eye tests and non-invasive MRI brain scans. Participants will be compensated for their time and expenses. The goal of the research is to better understand lazy eye and patching therapy.

Researchers hope that this understanding will lead to better treatment for lazy eye in the future to reduce sight loss in children and adults with lazy eye. Information about participating is in the poster and on the study website. The researchers welcome any questions and expressions of interest at koalastudy@ndcn.ox.ac.uk

OxTrail

OxTrail has also come to the University Parks! 

This summer, a herd of 138 large and mini oxen are on display across Oxford city and the county to form a fun and family-friendly trail. Each sculpture is unique and has been painted by artists, schools, community groups, or local media. Three of the floral-themed oxen have found their way into the Parks.

OxTrail is raising money for Sobell House Hospice, which provides expert and compassionate care to people at the end of their lives, and support to their family and friends.

Sobell House has another art installation in the Parks, one which it installs every summer. See if you can find the tree of ribbons and the three oxen on your next visit. Visitors can use the app or map to navigate the trail and locate the sculptures. The link can be found on our website. 

Seat renovation and pothole filling

Recent financial donations to the University Parks have allowed us to begin a programme of cleaning and restoring the seats in the Parks. There are 88 of these, and Yard Foreman, Steve, has begun work on repairing, sanding, oiling the timbers and repainting the legs of each of the seats.

As well as securing the longer life of the seats, the improvement in their appearance is unmistakable. Steve is unlikely to finish all 88 this summer, but you will notice steady improvement around the Parks.

We have also been filling in the potholes in the paths. Tractor-driver, Nolan, is skilled with an excavator, and, together with agency gardeners Perry and Will, has been digging out, refilling and compacting the worst of the potholes.