Tree Explorers' will make use of the historic and nationally important University College Cork Arboretum to engage primary school students as well as adults with STEM topics. The primary school strand of the project has been specifically co-created with primary school teachers to target schools in communities at risk of disadvantage and social exclusion (DEIS schools). Engaging audiences with such living scientific collections has been shown to have significantly positive effects on educational attainment, mental and physical health, attitudes and knowledge of STEM subjects and careers, as well as willingness to engage in dealing with global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The project will involve in-school activities with project team members as well as visits by the students to the UCC Open Arboretum - 2,500 trees of over 120 different species. The adult strand of the project will deliver a tailored "UCC Tree Tour" as well as a series of workshops and talks for the general public throughout 2021 in addition to specific tours as part of Science Week, National Tree Week and other important STEM festivals. Educational materials, a self-guided map and a series of videos linking trees to other STEM topics (climate, health, medicine, etc.) will also be delivered. 'Tree Explorers' builds on the success of the UCC-funded "UCC Open Arboretum Project" which has re-imagined how this tree collection is used for STEM education and public engagement.

The Tree Explorers Project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland - SFI

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