Secondary school students from the Rumble Museum at Cheney School curated this display case in partnership with the Museum of Climate Hope, and primary school students from the Lyceum School collaged the backdrop. Cheney School students visited the Oxford University Museum of Natural History to learn about how to make museum displays. Then, they chose living things with adaptations that reflect the Museum of Climate Hope’s three themes: innovation, resilience, and transformation in the natural world.

Lessons learned from these amazing creatures can bring hope to our communities in times of climate chaos. Hope can be found in our collective ability to innovate, to stay resilient in the face of challenge and change, and to transform the economic, political, and social structures that threaten our planet into more just and sustainable models for society.

Inspiration for this can be found in the natural world. The students hope these stories help inspire climate action.

Thanks to Dr Lorna Robinson, Founding Director of the Rumble Museum at Cheney School

A selection of images from the case

Model of a Future Museum
Anastasia Wittenstein (Museum of Climate Hope intern 2025) designed this model of a future museum that could serve as a repository of both seeds and ideas, which are the seeds for a better future.

'This model was made to make a building inspire climate hope in form and in function. The shape of a bull reflects the role of ruminants in shaping ecosystems. The structure is made with beans and seeds from all the different continents and stands as a symbol of sustainable growth and meaningful change towards a better, climate-friendly, built environment. I hope to contribute to building a better world through sustainable design.' -Anastasia

Rest | Tardigrade plushie
Slowing down in urgent times 
‘Tardigrades can withstand freezing cold, extreme heat and radiation by entering a state of cryptobiosis, which is like extreme hibernation.’ 
-Adriana 

Bio-design | Nero Clearwing Butterfly, Greta nero
Improving Solar Panels by mimicking clearwing butterflies
‘Scientists are concentrating the sun’s power by coating solar-panels with glass that mimics the energy-trapping properties of glasswing butterflies!’ -Luke 

Regeneration | Mauve Stinger Jelly Fish, Pelagia noctiluca
Restoring rather than destroying 
‘One species of jellyfish is biologically immortal!  An injured or starving medusa can transform back into a blob, which is its ‘youth’ stage.’ -Charlie