The Seed Pop! kit – breeding talent and sustainability
Year Awarded
2025
Amount
€59,711
- Organisation:University of Galway
Project Summary
The SeedPop! project aims to develop a new Education and Public Engagement (E&PE) programme to connect young people with scientists from Higher Education Institutions engaging them in STEM. The SeedPop! Project will introduce young students to the science of plants and food crops, placing these topics within the context of a rapidly changing environment and the growing need for more sustainable agricultural solutions.
The project aims to help students understand how environmental factors, particularly salinity, a harmful environmental stress that farmers face, affect plants with a focus on seeds, a cornerstone of our agricultural and food systems. Students will also explore how science can drive the development of environmentally friendly solutions to secure future food production.
On the completion of the SeedPop! Project, student will have:
• Understood the biological processes underlying seed germination.
• Gained hands-on experience observing the effects of environmental stress, such as high salt, on plant growth.
• Apply knowledge regarding innovative, sustainable agricultural practices that support improved crop performance.
• Demonstrate understanding for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG2-Zero Hunger and SDG13-Climate Action.
The SeedPop! project will allow primary school students (5th and 6th class) to gain a practical understanding on how scientific research is conducted. By engaging with diverse and relatable role models, they will see that a career in STEM is both meaningful and attainable. Students will learn how applying the scientific method can contribute to sustainable food systems while helping to protect the natural world around them.