Dr Joshua Kestel, Research Fellow in the University of Cambridge Department of Plant Sciences, is looking for up to six botanic gardens to take part in a research project exploring how children aged 6–8 understand and respond to plants, flowers and pollinators.

Helping to develop resources for Key Stage 1

The research will contribute to the development of an illustrated children’s picture book and accompanying lesson plan for Key Stage 1, designed to support children’s understanding of plants, flowers and pollination.

The project will explore children’s existing knowledge, attention, attitudes and interest in these subjects. The findings will help inform the development of resources that are engaging and appropriate for younger learners.

The research has been reviewed by the University of Cambridge Psychology Research Ethics Committee.

What would participating gardens need to do?

The initial commitment for participating botanic gardens is relatively light.

Gardens would host school groups as part of their normal educational visits and support pupils aged 6–8 to complete a short, paper-based questionnaire.

The activity takes approximately 15–20 minutes per class and involves:

• No testing or grading
• No interviews
• No recording
• A short paper-based questionnaire completed during the school visit

The questionnaire will explore what children know about plants, flowers and pollinators, what they notice and pay attention to, and how they feel about learning about these subjects.

The first questionnaire sessions can take place from mid-October 2026 onwards.

An opportunity to contribute to plant-science education research

The project will continue into 2027, including work with primary-school teachers to develop the lesson plan, followed by a later phase evaluating the completed book and associated lesson.

For BGEN members, this offers an opportunity to contribute directly to research around plant-science education and children’s learning, while bringing the knowledge and experience of botanic garden educators into the development of resources for younger learners.

There is no cost to participating gardens, and printing costs can be reimbursed. Participating gardens will also be acknowledged in the finished book.

Interested in taking part?

If your garden works with primary school groups and you would like to explore becoming one of the participating partners, please contact Josh directly for an informal conversation and further information:

Dr Joshua Kestel
Department of Plant Sciences
University of Cambridge

Email: jhk65@cam.ac.uk 

Up to six botanic gardens are being sought to participate.

We hope BGEN members will be able to get involved and help shape research and educational resources that encourage the next generation to understand and engage with plants, flowers and pollination.