Episode 2: The Secret of Trees
Episode 2 explores the relationship between youth wellbeing and peer to peer collaboration, offering a fun and meaningful introduction to how we can take care of ourselves and our enviromnent. Intinially piloted in six Tower Hamlets schools in 2024, this project is ready for further distribution in 2026.
In Episode 2, Anne from UCA returns with another box—and another mystery. Pupils explore strange signals coming from the trees around their school, learning about photosynthesis, tree anatomy, and real-life climate activists like Wangari Maathai and Felix Finkbeiner. The episode connects environmental education with emotional resilience and encourages pupils to act as stewards of their world.
Key Learning Outcomes
Understanding the effects of both climate change and environmental activism globally;
Developing foundational awareness of the importance of trees, photosynthesis and mycorrhizal networks
Experiencing the power of teamwork and collective action
Advancing skills in letter writing and effective communication.
““My class was excited by the storytelling
and world building of UCA and its
characters, which caused high engagement with the themes and topics covered. These had clear curriculum links to sustainability and legacy and made for an intriguing and fun off-timetable day for my class.””
“A really well planned and resourced set of sessions with a clear and valuable theme which engaged and motivated the children to work together and learn about an important environmental issue from key role models along the way.”
“We absolutely loved it! We have a lot of friendship issues in our class, I think this workshop really helped the children understand that our emotions can sometimes make us fall out over silly things but it’s important for us to think how could we avoid those situations with our own behaviour and actions … we covered so much including the curriculum.”
Next Steps
UCA Episode 2 is now looking for funders for the next stage of development and dissemination. This will allow us to develop the content and design. With this, we want to connect with organisational partners, particularly in the field of environmental education and youth activism, that could help support the dissemination of the work through existing schools or other educational networks. Our next stage of development will see a wider delivery and the creation of an online UCA CPD, like Episode 1. You can see a teaser for Episode 2 in this video.
If you’d like to see 2024’s Evaluation Report on Episode 2, please click below.
If you’d be interested in being involved in the next stage of development please contact us.
Credits
Asssociate Makers Anoushka Bonwich, Anne Odeke, Germma Orleans-Thompson & Mel Frances
Producer Emily Davis
Filmmakers DMLK Video
Designer Kirsty Harris
Programmer Suzanna Hurst
Project director Toby Peach
Performers Anne Odeke & Toby Peach
Made in collaboration with members of the Young Coneys.
The Undercover CareTaker Agency was created thanks to funding from The Backstage Trust and Canary Wharf Contractors. The 2024/25 project expansion was made possible thanks to support from THAMES and ELFT Charity.
Project original developed at Coney
