Four Limerick schools to showcase their 'big ideas' ahead of national awards

FOUR Limerick schools will be looking forward to the Big Ideas Showcase where a number of awards will be up for grabs.

The Big Idea is an education programme which teaches students to think creatively.

The projects conducted by the schools demonstrate how the students used critical thinking and mental agility to create solutions for five major Irish social issues, with mental health and climate change the most pressing issues on their minds this year, along with hidden poverty, displaced people and diversity and inclusion.

Witnesses sought after jogger on popular Limerick walkway is punched in the face

The four Limerick schools taking part are Desmond College, Newcastle West, Coláiste Iósaef Community College, Kilmallock John the Baptist Community School, Hospital and Colaiste Na Trocaire, Rathkeale.

“Industry is crying out for critical thinking, problem-solving, mental agility, and empathetic solutions,” Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, founder of The Big Idea said.

The 14-week programme wraps up the 2023 term this week in an award showcase, with learners aged 15 to 19 years from 22 counties, from Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Youthreach centres and schools in Northern Ireland, submitting hundreds of creative solutions to some of Ireland’s biggest social issues.

“We need to think differently. The Big Idea is more than just an educational programme, it’s a movement to democratise creative thinking,” Ms Mackenzie-Doyle said.

Limerick communities to receive €100k in heritage funding

“Our young people have a tough future ahead of them, inheriting some of the biggest problems our world has ever faced. We want to empower the next generation to take on big challenges because we know one Big Idea can change our world.

“There will be many problems ahead of us which we will have no reference for. We must educate with a growth mindset that’s open to failure and challenge ourselves to prepare the next generation with the most in-demand skills in the world, creative thinking skills,” she mentioned.

The programme wraps on The Big Idea website on Friday, May 12 at 11am, where all of the big ideas will be celebrated andan exhibition of projects will be launched.