top of page

National partners travel to Galway for first Cell EXPLORERS Network meeting

Science communication and educational outreach in Ireland took a giant leap forward last week, with the inaugural meeting of the Cell EXPLORERS Network.

IMAGE 1: Representatives from all national teams gather to celebrate the establishment of the Cell EXPLORERS Network. Right – Left: Dr Mary Carr LYIT, Dr Kellie Dean UCC, Samantha Prior UL, Dr Shane McGuinness NUI Galway, Karen McGibney NVRL-UCD, Dr Caroline Gilleran DkIT, Maya Frost AIT, Dr Guiomar Garvia Cabellos IT Carlow, Dr Sinead Miggins MU, Ben Nolan NUI Galway representing ITT. (Photo: Aengus McMahon Photography)


Delegates from across Ireland travelled to NUI Galway on Thursday 17th May to consolidate the recent expansion of the project, from 5 partner institutions, to a current total of 10 HEIs nationally. The Cell EXPLORERS project now covers 12 counties, including 9 of those previously identified as having poor exposure to STEM-related activities. The first year of activity for the Network has resulted in the direct engagement of 6,700 young people and their families by over 250 (and growing) volunteer scientists who continue to give their time, passion and knowledge to inspiring the next generation of scientific explorers. And it’s needed, as recent research by Cell EXPLORERS found that 40% of the students engaged with this year had never met a scientist. Indeed, 95% of students visited found meeting a Cell EXPLORERS role model a positive experience.


Dr. Muriel Grenon, Founding Director of Cell EXPLORERS said:

It is so important to engage our young people in STEM from an early age to break the stereotypes around science and scientists. It was great to meet with all the coordinators to discuss the impact that we see in the classroom and plan for the future of our community of practice.