Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Shortlisted Projects

ECO-UNESCO

Ireland’s Environmental Education and Youth Organisation

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Environmental Protection Through Youth Action

www.ecounesco.ie ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Message from Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland I am pleased to send greetings to everyone involved in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards.

It is heartening to witness the levels of interest and passion exhibited by so many young people in the future of the environment that we all share. This is an area of tremendous importance and it is reassuring that the motivators and leaders of tomorrow have such a collaborative ethos and have displayed such energy and innovation. I would like to commend the work that you are doing and I would also like to acknowledge the work that is done quietly in the background to encourage and promote this powerful concept, looking towards our shared future and the conservation of our environment.

I congratulate all of the award winners and I wish you continued success in your endeavours.

Michael D. Higgins Uachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland

Contents

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Welcome message.........................................................................................................................................3 About ECO-UNESCO.......................................................................................................................................4 About UNESCO Clubs.....................................................................................................................................5 Programme of events.....................................................................................................................................6 Floor plan.........................................................................................................................................................7 Getting your Youth Group or School involved with ECO-UNESCO........................................................8-9 Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Participants..............................................................................10-15 Shortlisted Project Summaries......................................................................................................................16 Biodiversity................................................................................................................................................16-20 Climate Change.......................................................................................................................................21-22 ECO-Art and Design.................................................................................................................................22-23 ECO-Community Development.............................................................................................................24-25 ECO-Enterprise..............................................................................................................................................25 Energy........................................................................................................................................................26-27 Transport.........................................................................................................................................................28 Waste.........................................................................................................................................................29-32 Water.........................................................................................................................................................32-33 ECO-Health and Wellbeing..........................................................................................................................34 Super Junior...................................................................................................................................................35 ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards Funders & Sponsors ...................................................36 Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................................37 Mansion House Code of Conduct..............................................................................................................38

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Welcome to Ireland’s Biggest Celebration of Youth ECO-Action Welcome to ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and Ceremony 2015 This is Ireland’s biggest celebration of young people taking environmental action and we extend our congratulations to all of you on your hard work throughout the year.

We are extremely impressed by all the young people participating in this year’s awards programme. All of you have shown tremendous enthusiasm, creativity and innovation in your approach to protecting the environment and promoting environmental awareness amongst your peers, schools, youth groups and wider community.

We are now celebrating the sixteenth year of the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards, and with it, our largest showcase to date. The programme has grown hugely from its beginnings in 1999 and through the years, tens of thousands of young people from all across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have participated, by developing local environmental action projects to help conserve and protect the environment and promote sustainable development and by encouraging others to do the same.

The Young Environmentalist Awards recognises and rewards the work of young people all across the island of Ireland. This year there were over 300 entries from thousands of young people nationwide, and today we recognise the hard work and dedication to the environment from this year’s 80 finalists. Each of today’s finalists attended a regional ECO-Den in March, a Dragons’ Den style heat where participants pitched their projects to a panel of judges and put their best foot forward in order to secure their spot at this year’s Showcase and Awards Ceremony.

We are delighted to have expanded our annual Showcase and this year we have 80 shortlisted projects on display at the 2015 Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase. We would like to commend you all on your hard work, time and effort put into the projects by all the groups involved.

We would like to thank everybody who supported this year’s Young Environmentalist Awards, our sponsors, funders, prize givers and our judging panel. We greatly appreciate your time, interest and commitment to this environmental programme and we look forward to working with you again in the future. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Minister Sean Sherlock, TD Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and our special guest, Professor Patrick McKeever of UNESCO, Chief of Section at the Global Earth Observation Section and Secretary of the International Geoscience Programme here today.

We hope you have a fantastic showcase and awards ceremony. We would encourage you to continue your great work and do let us know if we can help you to develop your projects further. Please encourage others to take environmental action and spread the spirit of the Young Environmentalist Awards.

Thank you for making the programme such a success and we hope you have a wonderful day!

Mark Bennett Chairperson ECO-UNESCO

Elaine Nevin National Director ECO-UNESCO

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

About ECO-UNESCO Founded in 1986, ECO-UNESCO is Ireland’s environmental education and youth organisation.

ECO-UNESCO has extensive experience in the development of environmental education programmes for young people in schools, youth groups and community groups. ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA).

ECO-UNESCO’s aims are to: • • • •

Raise awareness, understanding and knowledge of our environment among young people; Promote the protection and conservation of our environment among young people; Promote the personal development of young people through practical environmental projects and activities Promote the ideals of UNESCO

Our Programmes: Environmental Youth Programme ECO-UNESCO develops and runs programmes for young people on a broad range of environmental issues through schools, youth organisations, community groups or local authorities. The programmes include environmental events and activities, environmental workshops, ECO-UNESCO Clubs, ECO-Youth Choices and Youth for Sustainable Development including a Peer Education Programme.

Training Programmes ECO-UNESCO develops and runs training programmes for young people and trainers within non-formal and formal education, providing a specialist approach to working with young people.

The programmes include one-day training courses, and a range of QQI Accredited Courses including Introduction to Sustainable Development (L5), ECOCommunity Development (L3), Peer Education (L5), Outdoor Vegetable Crop Production (L3), Growing Vegetables (L4) and Ecology and the Environment (L6).

Consultancy ECO-UNESCO also offers consultancy services to groups and agencies that want a specialist approach to environmental education, environmental youth work and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

The Young Environmentalist Awards Programme: ECO-UNESCO developed and has run the Young Environmentalist Awards programme since 1999.

About the Young Environmentalist Awards The Young Environmentalist Awards is an allIreland environmental awards programme for young people aged 10-18. Since 1999, ECOUNESCO has run this programme to honour the work of young people to protect, conserve and enhance the environment through local environmental projects, making a difference to their lives and the lives of others both locally and globally.

After groups submit their ECO-Action project report, a number of groups from across Ireland and Northern Ireland are invited to pitch their projects to the ‘ECO-Dragons’ in the regional semi-final judging rounds, the ECO-Dens. The finalists then showcase their project at the ECOUNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Gala Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Dublin.

The programme is a fun and exciting way to empower young people to become better citizens, to build awareness of environmental issues in the community and promote simple actions and lifestyle changes to improve the environment.

For more information visit www.ecounesco.ie

Education Resources ECO-UNESCO produces environmental education resources including publications and posters suitable for primary and secondary school teachers, youth groups, community groups and individuals

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About UNESCO Clubs The World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA) aims to further the ideals, objectives and programmes of UNESCO. Club members include people of all ages and nationalities from every walk of life. Those involved with Clubs share a commitment to UNESCO’s ideals and work to translate them into reality on the ground. As such, members are well placed to present the views of civil society to decisionmakers.

The aims of UNESCO Clubs are to: • promote understanding of the aims and ideals of UNESCO and work for the success of their implementation • facilitate international understanding, cooperation and world peace • support human rights • contribute to the training in civics and democracy of their members • participate in social development conceived as the attainment of the conditions most conductive to the full development of the human personality.

Although they have features in common, Clubs for UNESCO may take many different forms; the nature of a Club is determined by its membership and by the conditions and social environment in which its called upon to operate and as such there are: Schools Clubs; Higher Education Clubs; Clubs which have a clearly recognized legal status, and their membership includes leading members of the cultural and public service circles of the community. There are also Clubs that are Centres for UNESCO, of which ECO-UNESCO is a member. These differ from the aforementioned Clubs and Associations for UNESCO because they operate on a permanent basis in premises usually open to the general public.

ECO-UNESCO and WFUCA: ECO-UNESCO has been affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations since 1986. It is one of 22 European counties in the European and North American Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations. As an affiliate to the UNESCO Clubs, ECO-UNESCO works to implement and uphold the values and ideals of UNESCO in Ireland, and as a youth organisation, to instil and develop these values in young people, through its innovative environmental youth programmes.

About UNESCO Following the devastation of two world wars in less than a generation, UNESCO was established in 1954 as a response to the firm belief of nations that political and economic agreements are not enough to build a lasting peace. Instead, peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity.

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’s mission and activities. UNESCO has 195 member countries and it pursues its objectives through five major programmes; • Education • Natural sciences • Social and human sciences • Culture • Communication and information Even earlier than the foundation of UNESCO however, were UNESCO Clubs, the first of which was established in Japan in 1947.

The number of Clubs has grown hugely in the past 67 years with more than 4000 Clubs, Centre and Associations for UNESCO now operating in more than 100 countries worldwide.

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

ECO-UNESCO’S Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 National Showcase and Awards Ceremony Schedule Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Showcase Schedule 8.30am - 9.30am

Registration and Project Set-up

10am - 12.45pm

Showcase Opens & interactive zones and activities open to all

10am

Welcome to the Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Showcase Ms. Elaine Nevin, ECO-UNESCO National Director

10.15am

10.30am -12.45pm 12.45pm

Official launch of the Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Showcase Christy Burke, Lord Mayor of Dublin Visit to projects by the Expert Judging Panel End of Showcase

Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Ceremony 2.15pm - 2.30pm 2.30pm

Round Room Re-Opens Opening of Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Hosted by Mr. Aidan Power, RTÉ Experience of the Young Environmentalist Awards: ECO-UNESCO Youth reps Welcome to the Young Environmentalist Awards Ceremony Ms. Elaine Nevin, National Director, ECO-UNESCO Opening address Seán Sherlock TD Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 Presentations and Youth Performances Special address Professor Patrick McKeever, UNESCO Paris

5.00pm

Ceremony Closes

Showcase Expert Judging Panel Dara Wyer (Kildare County Council), Dean Eaton (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council), Edwina Dunford (Fingal County Council), Brain Healy (CDYSB), Gary Brady (Longford County Council), Jen Murphy (Trocáire), Cathal Comey (Dept of Environment Community and Local Government), Tim Duggan (Managing Director, Enrich), Michael Doorly (Concern), Frank McDonald (The Irish Times), Tony Gaynor (Dept. of Education), Vivenne Parry (Unicef), Karen Mahon (Director Alupro, Ireland), Michael Kennedy (Irish Aid), Aoife Rush (NCCA), Justin Byrne (Irish Environmental Network), Niamh Hatchell (Environmental Protection Agency), Duncan Stewart (Director, GreenMe) Ceremony Award Presenters Sean Sherlock TD Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs; Professor Patrick McKeever, Chief of Section, Earth Sciences and Geohazard Risk Reduction and Secretary of the IGCP for UNESCO; Ms. Elaine Nevin (National Director, ECO-UNESCO Clubs Ireland); Mr. Mark Bennett (Chairperson, ECO-UNESCO Clubs Ireland); Karen Mahon (Director Alupro, Ireland); Justin Byrne (Irish Environmental Network); Niamh Hatchell (Environmental Protection Agency); Duncan Stewart(Director, GreenMe); Tony Gaynor (Dept. of Education) MC: Mr. Aidan Power, RTÉ

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Youth Performances: Gangster’s Paradise (Youth for Sustainable Development; Global Leaders for Change), Bugs and Bees are Beautiful (St. Ibar’s N.S. Clohamon), Irish Music (Carrick-On-Shannon Community School), Warrior (The Little Monsters, Tallaght), I Dreamed a Dream (The Little Monsters, Tallaght), Ugly Heart (Youth for Sustainable Development; Global Leaders for Change), Elastic Heart (Youth for Sustainable Development; Global Leaders for Change)

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Getting your youth group or school involved in ECO-UNESCO!

ECO-UNESCO has a wide range of programmes –here are some ways that your school, youth group or young person can get involved.

This can build on all of the good work your group has done as part of their Young Environmentalist Awards project!

ECO-UNESCO Clubs

Do you want to meet like-minded people with an interest in the environment and in learning more about UNESCO’s work? If so why not set up an ECO-UNESCO Club in your school or youth group? ECO-UNESCO Clubs are a great way to give focus to a group of young people who are interested in environmental issues!

In a school setting the ECO-UNESCO Club can meet during school time (often during lunch time) or as an after schools activity; in your youth group the ECO-UNESCO Club can take place as part of your youth programme and provide a special focus for some of your young people. ECO-UNESCO Clubs get involved in all sorts of activities – in particular Clubs take on the Young Environmentalist Awards programme and carry out action projects; they can also get involved in the Learning2Change programme or the Youth for Sustainable Development and other programmes offered by ECO-UNESCO. They can also organise their own events and activities, which they can highlight through ECO-UNESCO. There are Clubs in countries all over the world and you can be part of this global network. If you want to set up an ECO-UNESCO Club all you need to do is to register your group with ECO-UNESCO (www.ecounesco.ie). We have a dedicated Clubs Officer to help you establish and support your Club; we provide a Clubs Manual and Leader Training for Clubs leaders.

Contact: clubs@ecounesco.ie “I have learned that there are several creative and original ways we can raise awareness about the environment” Aimee Ward, Laurel Hill Secondary School

Transition Year Module

ECO-UNESCO has a specific Transition Year (TY) Module designed to support teachers and young people to develop an action project for the Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA). The TY module includes a support & activities pack for Teachers with themed activities related to the award categories such as Biodiversity, Waste & Climate Change. These activities aim to increase young people’s environmental awareness and knowledge and upskill them on how to develop an environmental action project. This module is available from ECO-UNESCO – contact yea@ecounesco.ie “I think it’s a very good idea. We raised lots of awareness in the school. It was a huge success across the school” Emma Johnson, Jesus and Mary Secondary School

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Youth for Sustainable Development;

(YSD) Global Youth Leader for Change

Are you aware of the links between your own life and those of other people around the world and how this links to sustainable development? ECO-UNESCO’s Youth for Sustainable Development Programme involves a variety of initiatives to engage, empower and support young people aged 16 to 18 interested in sustainability and environmental issues. The YSD programme inspires, motivates and empowers young people to act locally in favour of sustainable development! The programme is currently run in the Dublin area. If you are a young person who is interested in sustainability issues and wants to get involved with our Youth for Sustainable Development programme please e-mail us at: ysd@ecounesco.ie!

“I learned peer education and also a lot about the environment. I feel extremely happy for having learned these things, so I can improve my lifestyle.” Arta Kroni, St. Louis High School

Learning2Change Our World

Learning2Change Our World is an ECO-UNESCO programme aimed at promoting a Whole Schools approachtoEducationforSustainableDevelopment in post primary schools in the Republic of Ireland.

The programme works with students, teachers and school staff across a number of selected schools.

As part of the programme teachers and students receive training; they set up an ECO-UNESCO Club for young people; they explore issues regarding sustainability and development and how these areas affect our local and global communities; they carry out a Young Environmentalist Awards Action project and work together in organising a week

of action and awareness related to a local/global issue regarding sustainability.

If you would like more information or have any questions on ECO-UNESCO’s Learning2Change Our World Programme please contact us at: learning2change@ecounesco.ie “It was a very exciting experience. We worked as a team. And we learned more about the environment” Niamh O’Driscoll, Manor House School

Young Environmentalist Awards 2016

The Young Environmentalist Awards is a great way of encouraging and inspiring young people to take environmental action and get recognised and rewarded for all their work. Groups of young people (10-18) from any setting can get involved.

Each year we offer free training to all registered groups! If you want to get involved with Ireland’s biggest environmental programme, e-mail us at yea@ecounesco.ie and book your training now!

Trainings will take place during the following timeframe: - Leinster: 21st- 25th September - Munster: 28th September - 2nd October - Connaught: 5th-9th October - Ulster: 12th - 16th October

“Taking part in these awards is a very fun and worthwhile experience because it taught us a lot about the environment that we didn’t know” Aimee Ward, Laurel Hill Secondary School

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Young Environmentalist 2015 Participants ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Biodiversity

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Project Title: To investigate the growing threat from swarms of jellyfish around the Irish coast

Junior Project Title: Perfect Pollock: A sustainable alternative to Cod From: Schull Community College, Co. Cork Young People: Tarah Fleming, Aoife Nash Leader: Larissa Kelly

From: St. Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin Young People: Martha Malone, Marion Castro Lopez Leader: Mairead O Brien

Project Title: Development of a risk model to determine the expansion or the spread of the Asian Clam in Lower Lough Ree

Project Title: Blarney Bats Babes

From: Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Blarney, Co. Cork Young People: Ruth O Mahony, Emma Kelleher, Sarah O Sullivan, Muireann Hayes Leader: Ruth Mahony

Project Title: An ecological comparison of conventional tillage versus strip-till after one season From: Athlone Community College, Co. Westmeath Young People: Caoimhe Mcintyre, Aine O’Meara Leader: Susan Auchmuty

From: Lanesboro Community College, Co. Longford Young People: Evan Tynan, daniel O’Reilly, Lara O’Sullivan, Niamh Chawke, Shannon Dalton, Conor Walton, Jeffrey Kok, Eoin Farrell, Chloe Kenny,Caoimhe Glennon, Megan Dalton

Project Title: “How Music Has Wings”

From: Carrick on Shannon Community school, Co. Leitrim Young People: Patrick Sweeney, Chloe Daniels, Annette Moran Leader: Jacqueline Walsh

Project Title: How earthworms react to sound, pitch and rhythm

Project Title: Stop The Fowl Play

From: Loreto College, Stephen’s Green, Dublin Young People: Hana Gallagher, Eleanor Cripwell Leader: Yseult Whitaker

From: CBS Roscommon, Co. Roscommon Young People: Jack Harkins, James Brandon, Theo McGuinness, Ben Cummins, Dan Butt Leader: Louise Gallagher

Project Title: What swims in the rock pools of North Clare?

Project Title: B&B for Birds and Bugs

From: Mary Immaculate Secondary Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare Young People: Isabelle Walsh, Ellen King Leader: John Sims

School,

Project Title: Le Jardin du Sacre Coeur/ Sacred Heart Garden From: St. Catherine’s College, Co. Armagh Young People: Helen McNeill, Jordan McShane, Brogan O’Neill, Eileen Trainor, Jessica Maye, Eve O’Neill, Megan McShane, Katrina Maye, Colleen McCann Leader: Susan Byrne

Senior Project Title: SOS: Save Our Sloths

From: St Joseph’s College, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Young People: Alyssa Lennon, Hannah Torpey, Shannon Summer, Emma Ward Leader: Marie Geraghty

Project Title: Litteral heroes

From: Donegal YMCA STEP, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Young People: Ciara Friel, Tamara Laird, Catriona Whoriskey, John Luke Whoriskey, Eva Peoples, Emer Connolly, Sean Lowery, Tina Warnock, Aidan Crawford Leader: Stewart Morris

From: Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow Young People: Gwendolyne Jackson, Jane Keogh, Merlin Fernando James, William Byrne, Amy Jackson, Rebecca Lawlor, Ciara Hanly, Sumer Alers, Róisín Connolly, Hannah Kehoe Leader: Dorothy Fox

Project Title: Ag déileáil agus ag staidéir le creimeadh ithreach From: Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Co. Kilkenny Young People: Órla Ní hÓgáin, Anna Ní Dhubhghaill Leader: Orla Hogan

Project Title: Cleaning up Skerries North Beach

From: Skerries Community College, Dublin Young People: Maeve Ward, Killian Everard, Emma Burns, Jessica Colllins, Cathal Mills, Emma Tolan, Caitlin McCarthy, Erica Casey Leader: Katie Corbett

Project Title: Garnia

From: Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Co. Galway Young People: Laoise Walsh, Katie Smyth, Fiona Whelan, Seán Harkin, Kate O’Leary, Andrew O’Boyle, Sean Fallon, Conor Harte, Ciarán Hynes, Claire Kikoyne, Matthew McKerman, Matthew Barrett, Rachel O’Donoghue, Susanna Donnelly, Orla Kavanagh, Lucy Maher, Padraig Cooney, Isabel Monaghan, Abaighy Donoghue, Lea Shaughnessy, Megan Connolly, Hannah de Hora Byrne, Marcus Brenman, Dara Tobin Leader: Aine Clarke

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Project Title: Transport Into The Future

Project Title: Habitat Loss

From: Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Young People: Karl Caones, Daniel O’Connor, Conor McAuley, Laura Doyle, Aoife Carey, Abigail Adria-Sisson, Shauna Finnegan, Lynette Murphy, Grace Kilbride

Project Title: To Bee Or Not To Bee

From: Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Young People: Lisa Murnane, Helen Vysotska, Amy Shields, Ryan Doolan Gorman, Fergus Bourke

Project Title: Wet Wipe Hype

From: Meanscoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith Co. Galway Young People: Mary Concannon, Maisie Corrigan, Maria Dunne, Sephora Elonga, Alanna Marie Fell, Micaela Geoghean, Briana Gibbons, Erica Grealish, Ada Anna Jarosz, Chloé Keleghan, Jordan Jessica Lydon, Kerene Mayamba Mateta, Savannah McDonagh, Pamela McDonagh, Candide Milandu, Clodagh O’Hanlon, Emily O’Reilly, Chloe Quinlivan, Charlotte Skinner, Marie Ward Leader: Michelle McDonagh

Project Title: Wormery Works 2

From: St. Joseph’s College, Athlone, Roscommon Young People: Amber Breheny, Cerys Bryer, Megan Cummins, Lisa Dolan Leader: Marie Geraghty

Climate Change

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Senior Project Title: Gender Equality And Climate Change

From: Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Young People: Deborah Costello, Katie McManus, Niall O’Brien, Dean Madden, Megan McCarthy, Darragh Creighton, Robert Keogh, Amy Colgan, Nathan Fox, Robyn Smith, Ruzzlyn Maurie Caniel, Johanna Hickey, Sophie Hickey

Project Title: World War Tree

From: Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Young People: Matthew Martin, Georgia Leavy, Kathy Hayes, Ailise Dowling, Rory Colgan, Ross McMullin, Christopher Mc Gann, Jack Cullen, Alex Keane, Aimee Gernon, Sabrina Borza, Chloe Murphy, Sophie Hickey, Erica Lucas, Ruth Hannigan, Niamh Muldowney, Charlotte Clapperton

From: Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Young People: Aoife Raiside, Nicole Lyle, Hannah McDonald, Martin Winterlich, Jamie McCarthy, Philip Manifold, Ryan Lestrange, Esther Brady, Leon Gill, Adam Carolan, Adam Fitzpatrick, Ali Kavanagh, Katie Conway, Kleran Murray, Chantee Sharkey, Erika McKevitt, Megan Byrne, Megan Cleary

Project Title: Using Biomimicry to carbon neutralise concrete production From: Ballyclare High School, Co. Antrim Young People: Emma Neill, Bethany Stewart Leader: Emma Neill

ECO-Art & Design

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Junior Project Title: Fantastic Plastic Couture

From: Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare Young People: Katelin Vaughan, Amy Woods, Emma Kelly, Aoife Dowling, Chloe Geraghty, Erin Long, Daniel Costello, Oisín Casasín Sheridan, Wiyada Sapornchaoen, Bridget Howley, Laura Haugh, Joseph Flanagan Leader: Mona Hynes

Project Title: Reusing Recycled Materials - Plastic PALS

From: Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont, Dublin Young People: Ciara Farrell, Megan O’Rourke, Megan Roddy, Janice Singson, Lisa Cordos, Roisin McGoldrick, Toni Gallagher, Ciara Curran Begos, Aicha Halfaoui, Amy Bulger, Karina Acedera, Sarah Enright, Louise Acedera, Alex Kelly Leader: Hilary Taylor

Senior Project Title: Even Dragons Recycle

From: Listowel Youthreach, Co. Kerry Young People: Nikita Dooley, Tommy McCarthy, Stephen McCarthy, Emil Michalak, Derice Barry, Sheila Costello, Tarro Forster Jones, Stephen Barry, David Enright Alan Mahoney, Jonathan O’Brien, Danny Simpson Leader: Sharon Frost

Project Title: Sustainable Style

From: St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare Young People: Nicole Downes, Deirdre Ryan Leader: Eva Mc Inerney

Project Title: Investigating Egg Membranes For Their Ability To Absorb Carbon Dioxide

Project Title: Woven Data

From: St. Mary’s College, Derry Young People: Aine Gillespie and Laura Mc Laughlin Leader: Ann Blanking

From: Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath Young People: Laura MacCormack, Bronwyn Lenane, Mikaela Dunne Leader: Margaret Mandal

Project Title: Poison At Street Level: Measuring Urban NO2 Levels At Peak Traffic Flow

Project Title: Mediva

From: St. Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin Young People: Mathilde Lyons and Isabel Browne Leader: Mairead O Brien

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From: Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath Young People: Gormlaith Mandal, Roisin Hamm, Adelina Hmelevska Leader: Margaret Mandal

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Project Title: Miss Cantastic

From: Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Co. Laois Young People: Claire Daly, Lisa Daly Leader: Anthony Reynolds

ECO- Community Development Page 24-25 Junior Project Title: Creepy Crawlies

From: St. Tiernan’s, Dundrum, Dublin Young People: Isabelle Nolan, Flora Mwale, Alex Mititelu, Holly Kenny, Lee Malone, Kulsoom Raza, Craig Pagan, G Santos, Grace Davis, Leonie McFall, Carl Gill, Ryan O’Brien, Vivien Magos, Jane Bruton, Shauna Cranny, O’Hara, Hayley Shortt, Carl Gill, Leonie McFall, Holly Gill, Jane Bruton Leader: Daniel Dockery

Young People: Matthew Shinnors, Zhaoqun Guo, Andrew Hayes Kristina, Uminskaya, Thomas Langley, Milena Peters, Aaron Peters, Claudia Puig-Fernandez, Lena zur Nedden, Olivia Bartnicki, Andrew Davison, Osamudiame Enebi, Giulia Lailla Braz Leader: Anita Mahon

Project Title: Global Citizen’s Mapping The Future From: Portmarnock Community School, Dublin Young People: Cian Gargan, Colin Mc Andrew, Grace Mathew, Morgan Keane, Anbu Samy, Sundara Vadivelu, Oliver Juchnevicius, Matthew O’Driscoll Leader: Niall FitzGerald

Senior

Eco - Enterprise

Project Title: Free Cycle - A Recycle Approach From: S. A. Y. S. W. A. A. C. C. Whitefriar/

Junior

Aungier Area Community Council, Dublin Young People: Megan Sherlock, Adam Wilders, Lauren Murray, Elena Walsh, Jamie Reddin, Ryan Plunkett, Mark McGrath, Mark Plunket, Robert Dalton, Dylan McGrath, Dylan Jackson, David Murray, Daniel Johnson, Aridas Rinkus, Luke Flynn, Adam McGrath, Lisa McGrath, Madeline McDougal, Jamie Doyle, Chloe Farrell, Saorise Honer, Ryan Mooney, Shauna Plunkett, Lauren Courtney Leader: Brendan Dowling

Project Title: Keep Calm And Stay Zen

From: Ballinrobe Community School, Co. Mayo Young People: Connor Burke, Jason Cavanagh, Cathal Cronin, Shane Duffy, Paul Fahy, Darragh Feerick, Samual Feerick, Brian Patrick Finlay, Daniel Gibbons, Gary Michael Hopkins, Jack Hyne, Paul Keane, Martin Kerrigan, Cathal King, Michal Kowalkowski, Ronan Lynagh, Ezra Mc Aleenan, Arron Mc Carthy, Shane Mc Carthy, Ross Mc Grath, Asad Muhammad, Mark O’Halloran, Culum O’Malley, Kevin Vahey Leader: Michelle Reddin

Project Title: Sustainable Garden

From: St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare Young People: William Pilkington, Shane Downes, Eoin Hayes, Oran McInerney, Morgan Mescal, Barry O Gorman, Fiona Brew, Orlaith Daly, Katie O Connell Leader: Ruth Morrissey

Project Our Memorial Garden

12

Project Title: Our Outdoor Classroom From:Villiers Secondary School, Limerick

From: CDYSB - Stoneybatter Youth Service, Dublin Young People: Kayleigh Noone, Chloe Cooney, Megan Fay, Jason Murphy, Courtney Walsh, Courtney Murphy, Courtney Brazil, Jasmin Martin, Rebecca Mulhall, Rebecca Meleady, Danielle Dunne, Lauren Brown Leader: Yvonne Tougher

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Page 25

Project Title: ECO-Elves

From: Ballyclare High School, Co. Antrim Young People: Emily Brannigan, Emma Brownlee, Alison McWilliams, Jamie Young Leader: Alison McKeeman

Energy

Page 26-27

Junior Project Title: Can Alternative Energy Power A House?

From: Naas CNS, Co. Kildare Young People: Rebecca Loughlin, Orla Mas Mollinedo, Sineád Mutoni, Emmanuella Olawepo, Ingrid Aranda, Jessica Kilduff, Ali Murray, Hernich Mogabin, Liliana Birsan, Abby Poutch, Alana Hollaway, Seán Coyne, Declan Akeem, Joshua Murphy, Jack Crofton, Anthony Edwards, Gradi Mbombe, Conor Duffy Leader: Ruairi McManus

Project Title: Fuel Cells - Power For The Future

From: Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meain, Co. Galway Young People: Michael O’Coinceanainn, Fiachra O’Cuinn, Micheal O’Riain Leader: Cormac Coyne

Project Title: Energy Is Life And Life Is Energy Do Not Waste It

From: Mercy College Coolock, Dublin Young People: Katie Downey, Aoife Kearns, Sophie O’Donnell, Anya McCreary, Nicole Byrne, Houria Zaiter, Emma Mc Garr, Karla Dunn, Lauren Maxwell, Munashe Kandiwa, Ciara Ennis, Nicole wogan, Aoife Thorton, Shannon Ahearne, Shauna O’ Callaghan, Emma Moran, Michelle Gabi, Ashley o’Dowd, Paige Murtagh Ivers, Lauren Cowap, Sineta Kehoe Leader: Mary Scully

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Senior

Senior Project Title: Not “Mush-Room” For Turf Anymore!

From: Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath Young People: Shane Seery and Sean Pettit Leader: Margaret Mandal

Project Title: Our School Environment

From: St. Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght, Dublin Young People: Ryan Molyneux, Amy Byrne, Danielle McLoughlin, Dami Williams, Jason Whelan, Matthew Clarke, Latifa Atanda, Amy Ly, Conor Murphy, Sean Slattery, Genevieve Mopiti, Karl Brackett, Courtney McCarthy, Timmy Adesanya, Paula Noonan, Dylan Salinger, Zainab Owoyemi, Darrell McCarthy, Dylan Morgan, Kayleigh Dennis, Jason Lester, Adam Kelly, Lauren Daly, Emeka Congo, Miceala Harrison Leader: Taragh O’Connor & Suzanne McVickers

Project Title: The Use Of Halophytes As Biofuels

From: Skerries Community College, Dublin Young People: Ruairi Gielty, Austin Forkan, Francis Dilworth, Aidan O’Keeffe, Tom Carron, Sophie Sheahan, Kate Roche, Thomas Pollock Leader: Katie Corbett

Project Title: Energizer Bunnies

From: St. Tiernan’s Community School, Dundrum, Dublin Young People: Sophie Keating, Brandon Reilly, Balaji Block, Nitai Block, Philip Shanahon, Jodie Wall, Kalki McKevitt, Eoin Boyle, Robert La Malfa, Sophie Keating, Brandon Reilly, Balaji Block, Nitai Block, Philip Shanahon, Jodie Wall, Kalki McKevitt, Eoin Boyle, Robert La Malfa Leader: Daniel Dockery

From: Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork Young People: Ailbhe Murphy, Julie O Donovan Leader: Claire Holland

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Junior Project Title: Transport Transformers

From: St. Joseph’s College, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Young People: Nikayla Tucker, Ava McManus, Cheyenne Jinks Leader: Marie Geraghty

Project Title: Operation Transportation

From: St. Kilian’s German School, Clonskeagh, Dublin Young People: Laura Nolan, Clodagh Scott, Camille Lindlahr, Johnjoe Bouls Leader: Sarah Kavanagh

Waste

Page 29-32

Junior Project Title: Save your skin!

From: Firies National School, Co. Kerry Young People: Jack Nagle, Cian Cronin, Cian Doe, Conor Brosnan, Conor o’sullivan, Tomas Scott, Robert Nealon, Eoghan Mckenna, James’Oleary, Ian Nelligan, Lee o’Donoghue, Ben Herlihy, Maurice o’Connor, Chloe o’connor, Olivia Darlington, Kimberly o’brien, Kacper Prusak, Mileta Formalyte, mairead o’mahony, Olivia Goulding, Giann o’donoghue, Ciara Kearney, Martha Fitzgerald, Megan Daly, Alice Norris Leader: Katherine Mulligan

Project Title: Waste not want not

From: Millstreet Community School, Co. Cork Young People: Emily Ring, Denise Healy, Paulina Railaite, Danielle Mackey Hughes, Michaela Maliza, Fionan Buckley, Jennifer Linehan Leader: Elaine Power

Project Title: Do you waste bottled water?

Project Title: Waste not, heat more

Transport

Project Title: Bicycle Buccaneers

From: Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee, Dublin Young People: Daniel Adepoju, Sandra Brylewicz, Josh Clarke, Caitlin Daly, Faizah Dele-Ganiyu, Timea Fedor, Sarah Foy, Aidan Hall, Clodagh Harold, Kirsten Hart, Sarah Isip, Adeena Jawad, Lana Krumina, Fikayo Lowo, Erica Masterson, Alexandra Matyshchenko, Casey McDonnell, Enoch-David Owoeye-Wise, Abigail Pop, Mahlaka Salman, Arwah Sherif, Julia Stoica, Grace Thompson, Faith Yusuf Leader: Lis Pringle

From: Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare Young People: Katelin Vaughan, Ailisha Leneghan, Jamie Stack, Seamus MacNamara, Oisin McNamara, Erin Long, Marco White, Cian Howley, James Howard, Amy Woods, Leah McDonagh, Katie Kelly, Saoirse O Brien, Katie Thomas Leader: John Sims

Project Title: Every Bag Helps

From: Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Belfast, Co. Antrim Young People: Mark Hennessy, Conor Dalton, Jake Drinkwater, Caleb Montgomery, Soison Soy, Seán Walsh Leader: Roisin Collins

Project Title: Swap Shop

From: Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Dublin Young People: Stephen Alvey, Tara Breton-Young, Alex Cameron, Heidi Doris, Sam Elliott, Sophie Flood, Maia Flynn-Barnes, Dali Gallagher, Bella Gibney, Rhiannon Healy-De La Cruz, Toby Hudson-Fowler, Dyla Kirara, Katya Lawler, John Nugent, Louie O’Hagan, Molly O’Hara, Sadbh O’Loan, Oisín O’Sullivan, Joshua Osborne, Taj Parker, Liviu Rotaru, Liviu Jack Skakie, Eva Tomkins Leader: Kim Achari

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Senior

Water

Project Title: Litter In The Town Brings It Down!

Junior

From: Moate Community School, Lisdoonvarna Co. Westmeath Young People: Emma Malone, Claire Molloy, Sinead Fagan, Ciaran Fox Leader: Claire Molloy

Project Title: A Greener Tee

From: Castleknock College, Dublin Young People: Jake Killeen, Ben Healy Leader: Kieran Gallagher

From: Youthreach Clara, Co. Offaly Young People: Lee Fleming, Sarah Dunnes, Nathan Sheridan, Tamara Mahon, Kathleen Joyce, Thomas McDonagh, Emma Pidgeon, Teegan Fitzpatrick, David McDonagh, Michael Rattigan, Ross Cornally, Amie Tynan, Ciaran Smullen, Leo Geoghan, Shannon Aitken Leader: Joe Deering

Project Title: An examination of the hazards associated with livestock gases and how these gases can be utilized in an environmentally friendly way From: Coláiste Ide agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick Young People: Imogen Lyons, Laura White, Kayleigh Brosnan Leader: Joannah Kennedy

Eco-Friendly

Organic

Project Title: Waterworks

From: Coláiste Nano Nagle, Limerick Young People: Chole Mason, Sophie O’Neill Dillono, Chloe Noonan, Kerri-Rose Cremins, Jessica Quinlivan, Jade Hayes, Chloe Fogarty, Shauna Ryan, Chloe McNamara, Shania Moran, Rebecca Blake, Carrie Anne Stewart, Caithlin Stewart, Nicole Kelly, Emma O’Reilly, Kerrianne O’Grady, Natasha Kelly , Rugah Greey Leader: Helen Ahern

Senior

Project Title: Waste Not Feed A Lot

Project Title: Disposal Unit

Page 32-33

Waste

From: St. Aloysius’ College, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork Young People: Sorcha Phelan, Sarah Reardon, Olivia Roche, Niamh Wall Leader: Aine Hyland

Project Title: Green Options Project

From: Victoria College, Belfast Young People: Aisha Rahman, Bethany Fisher, Sasha Wilson, Khadiza Rahman, Emma Waugh, Oliwia Szurmack,Catherine Minford,Heidi Russell, Sarah Carson, Darcey Smith Leader: Mr. Winning

Project Title: Litter And Waste

From: Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Co. Kildare Young People: Kevin Gallagher, Robert Walsh, Tommy Smyth, Daniel Rafferty, Kyle O’Neill, Atan Millot, Gavin Kelly, Fionn Priestly Leader: Deirdre Harnett

Project Title: Whacky Water

From: Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, Co. Kerry Young People: Isabel O Donoghue, Blathaid O Connor Leader: Mrs.Rita O Donoghue

Project Title: Conserving And Promoting Sustainable Water Use In Pobalscoil Neasáin From: Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle, Dublin Young People: Ivan Fitzpatrick, Mitchell Carroll, Adam Dowd, Aaron Mooney, Tom Lu, Lee Hampson, Tuguldur Amarjargal Leader: Conor Lyons

Project Title: The Water Savers

From: Meánscoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co. Galway Young People: Alexandra Bielska, Katie Browne, Cleona Carty, Eva Connolly, Katelin Corcoran, Klaudia Czyz, Meggan Fahy, Cliona Flanagan, Arnita Golacenko, Lisa Henry, Johanna Brune, Mariam Khvedelidze, Bruna Rodrigues, Jessica Walsh, Katie Ward, Kinga Weglaska, Martyna Zdzieblowska, Kasia Zarzycka, Veronika Simova, Lena Hoster, Klaudia Pokrzywka Leader: Michelle McDonagh

Project Title: The development of a prototype citizen monitoring water quality test kit From: Kinsale Community School, Co. Cork Young People: Emily Kelly, Frank Curtain Leader: Shaun Holly

Project Title: World Water Day

From: Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Young People: Charlotte Clapperton, Rory Colgan, Sabrina Borza, Liam Dunne, Nathan Fox, Aimee Gernon, Ross Grant, Georgia Leavy, Erica Lucas, Dean Madden, Matthew Martin, Megan McCarthy, Christopher McGann, Katie McManus, Ross McMullin, Niall O’Brien, Amy Smith, Robyn Smith, Sophie Hickey, Johanna Hickey, Deborah Costello, Amy Colgan

Project Title: Loose A Bag!

From: Rice College Westport, Co. Mayo Young People: Niall Brady, Alex Kielty, Aaron Bourke, Luke Griffiths, Patrick O’ Toole, Daniel Moran, Kevin Lavelle Leader: Pamela Flanagan

Project Title: Raising Awareness Of Silage Wrap Disposal

14

From: St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare Young People: Deirdre Lynch, Ciarán O’Donoghue

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Eco-Health & Wellbeing

Page 34

Senior Project Title: Steady Ship Steady Life

From: Youthreach Clara, Co. Offaly Young People: Lee Fleming, Sarah Jane Dunne, Nathan Sheridan, Tamara Mahon, Kathleen Joyce, Thomas McDonagh, Emma Pidgeon, Teegan Fitzpatrick, Amie Tynan, Sarah Brown, David McDonagh, Michael Rattigan, Ciaran Smullen, Ross Cornally, Shannon Aitken, Leo Geoghean, Megan Hunston, Amber Dunne Leader: Teegan Fitzpatrick

Project Title: Smoke Is No Joke

From: Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Co. Kildare Young People: Mark Dempsey, Peter Breslin, Ben Delaney, Jordan Hanway, Orin Stanley, Conor Smyth Leader: Cliona Dunne

Project Title: Paws For A Moment

From: Youthreach Carlow, Co. Carlow Young People: John Paul Bermingham, Tina Berney, Aisling Birrane, Andrea Carroll, Dawn Coakley, Nicholas Connors, Margaret Doran, Kade Farrell, Chloe Hopkins, Connor Kilduff, Aisling Mannion, Leigh Mannion, Johnny O’Leary Leader: Peter Cleere

Project Title: Make Safety The Way You Run Your Day From: St. John Bosco’s Community College, Kildysart, Clare Young People: Ciara Kenny, Allana Killoughery, Mikey Donnellan, Aidren Meaney, Claire Finnucane, Clodagh Doohan, Shane McMahon, Deirdre Convey Leader: Deirdre Convey

Super Junior

Page 35

Project Title: Beautiful Bugs And Butterflies

From: St. Ibars National School, Bunclody, Co. Wexford Young People: Adam Hewson, Jack Ring, Emma Murphy, leah Murphy, Tara Clarke, James Mahon, Hermione Murphy, John Joe Murphy, Pa Mahon, Isabel Whitty, Patrick Murphy, Jason Hosey-Doyle, Matilda Murphy, Ellie May Mahon, Christian HoseyDoyle, Thomas Mahon, David Whitty Leader: Aishling Whitty

Project Title: Ballymote Wildlife Wanderers Project From: Ballymote Community Library, Co. Sligo Young People: Molly Bell, Rebecca McGlone, Clodagh Currid Clara Corcoran, Sam Cunningham, Diarmuid O’Dowd, Sarah Tighe, Saskia Davey, Ciara McGlone, Grace Rafferty, Annie Mullen, Ciara Kielty Leader: Dolores Taheny

Project Title: Can Solar Power (as a source of clean fuel) Be Used To Power A Vehicle?

From: Alexandra College Junior School, Milltown, Dublin Young People: Molly Childs, Georgia Coveney, Beth Doherty, Ava Fitzpatrick, Lottie Gannon, Cerys John, Ivy Manna, Síofradh McEvoy, Amy Molloy, Heather Roche Griffin, Ella Ryan, Isabel Saeed-Maguire, Sarah Turley, Deirdre Turner, Ella Walsh Leader: Veronica Ward

Project Title: Kids And The Beanstalk

From: SWICN Computer Clubhouse, Dublin Young People: Angel Akpotor, Bianka Akpotor, Natalia Gil, Priscilla Szumna, Rachel Akpotor, Roku Kola,Nadia Gill Leader: Ivanna Chovgan

Project Title: Operation Cooperation

From: The Little Monsters, Tallaght, Dublin Young People: Jordan Maguire, Dillon Heenan, Abby Ward, Brandon Doyle, Amy Mahon, Lauren Cooper, Bridie Wall, Emma Duffy, Maggie Wall, Adam Ward, Aaron Doyle, Grace Heenan, Ella Smyth, Grace Dingle, Jamie Mahon, Jade Metcalfe Leader: Annette Woolley

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Shortlisted Project Summaries ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Biodiversity Perfect Pollock : A sustainable alternative to Cod Schull Community College, Co. Cork

Junior

Schull Community College’s group wanted to highlight the potential of using alternative sustainable fish species to reduce the pressure on cod. Cod is a fish species that is often described as being overfished.

On the contrary white pollock is widely available in rocky areas all around the Irish coastline. The group ran an awareness campaign about the environmental advantages of consuming pollock instead of cod, so that Irish line-caught pollock could take some market share from cod. Their project aimed to improve the quality of line-caught pollock and to make it more attractive to consumers thus becoming a viable, sustainable alternative to cod. To raise awareness about their project, they created an information leaflet for fishermen and an article about their project was published in a local newspaper.

Blarney Bats Babes

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Blarney, Co. Cork

Junior

-

ECO-UNESCO Club

The Blarney Bats Babes are very passionate about the importance of bats to our environment. To raise awareness within their local community, they organised two events: the drama group staged a barefoot dancing performance at the Smock Alley Theatre, while the action project group took part in planning a parade around town for which they prepared banners, T-shirts and flags. The two events took place on the same day and brought together other young people outside the group. The creation of a Facebook page provided a powerful communication tool to give coverge on social media, which also promoted how important bats are to our environment and farms!

An ecological comparison of conventional tillage versus strip-till after one season Athlone Community College, Co. Westmeath

Junior

-

This group’s project looked at two different methods of planting barley and their impacts on the environment as the team members are really interested in agriculture. The aim of the project was to encourage farmers to help the environment while making a profit by using different methods of sowing tillage. An ecological comparison of conventional tillage versus strip-till was carried out by establishing an experimental field which consisted of a field of barley tilled half in the conventional way and half by strip-till. The soil ecology of each side was assessed after one season. Awareness of the outcome of their project was raised with an article in the Farmers’ Journal.

How earthworms react to sound, pitch and rhythm Loreto College, Stephen’s Green, Dublin

Junior

This project investigated the movement of earthworms in reaction to sounds with different pitches and rhythms. Through different tests, these two young girls discovered that notes of a medium pitch and either very fast or very slow rhythms increased the worm’s activity within the soil. These results meant that if farmers or gardeners played these sounds to the soil, its fertility would be increased without the need of commercial fertilisers, which are harmful to the biodiversity of the soil.

Another benefit that the team also discovered through their tests was that the decomposition of the contents of wormeries and compost heaps would be accelerated if the worms inside were played these sounds. To raise awareness about their project. They were also mentioned in two different National newspapers and were interviewed by RTE.

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What swims in the rock pools of North Clare?

Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare Junior This group was interested in learning more about the biodiversity within the rock pools of their local coast line. The investigation also focused on whether the fish species within the rock pools varied depending on their location on the shoreline. The aim of their project was to make the people aware of biodiversity within the rock pools of North Clare. To do so, they researched the fauna and flora of their local coast line and drafted a report about it. The group has achieved media coverage with local newspaper featuring their project. The young people also visited a number of primary schools in their area and created a website to raise awareness and make their message go even further!

Le Jardin du Sacre Coeur / Sacred Heart Garden St. Catherine’s College, Co. Armagh

Junior

This project involved St. Catherine’s College Environmental Club in creating a community garden and special place of retreat in the school grounds. The garden is called Le Jardin du Sacre Coeur, meaning the Sacred Heart Garden, because St Catherine’s College, Armagh, is a Sacred Heart School part of a Sacred Heart Network.

After carrying out an extensive research, the group decided that the garden would focus on creating and improving bird habitats as well as becoming a special place in their school to celebrate the 40 Years of All Ability Education in Armagh. A special garden was designed which highlights the importance of different tree and bird species around Northern Ireland. The garden also represents a quiet corner where young people can reflect on their busy student life.

SOS: Save Our Sloths

St Joseph’s College, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group focused on the endangered species of Sloths. The team leader came up with the initial idea for the action project and her interest and enthusiasm convinced the other team members to join the cause! The reason behind their choice was to bring to the forefront the threats to a species they felt would in general rarely come to mind when thinking of endangered animals. The team objectives were to highlight the threat to sloths and to fund raise for a project supporting their survival.

The species included the maned three-toed sloth, Bradypus Torquatus, and the island-dwelling pygmy three-toed sloth, Bradypus Pygmaeus.

The project aim was to gather information on these species through research, action and awareness building. Actions included a bake sale which was organised to raise funds for a sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica.

Litteral heroes Donegal YMCA STEP, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Senior

The decision of what environmental issue to tackle in their action project was very much a team task for these environmental heroes!

The group came to the conclusion that littering and recycling were the most prominent issues for their age group and they decided to shoot a short film about the life changing experience of two young ‘litterbugs’ who became ‘litter-fighting’ superheroes! It was a great way to have fun while raising awareness about this important issue. Cigarette butts are very harmful to birds so the group also decided to build a bird house from recycled wood and attached it to a nearby fence. Further they developed a survey concerning recycling and distributed it to the local tenants and management company of their building to raise awareness within the community.

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To investigate the growing threat from swarms of jellyfish around the Irish coast ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

St. Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin

Senior

Based on their own experience during their summer holidays, a group of young people from St Louis High School decided to get together and work as a team to investigate the threats of swarms of jelly fish along the Irish Coast. The key question was why there were more jellyfish in the summer of 2014 than in previous years. The group noted that these swarms are adversely impacting tourism and fisheries. As the jellyfish numbers expand, this is impacting on fish numbers. The young people developed an App, a Facebook page and displayed the project in the main foyer of their school to highlight to people the impact that pollution was having on the biodiversity of the sea.

Development of a risk model to determine the expansion or the spread of the Asian Clam in Lower Lough Ree Lanesboro Community College, Co. Longford

Senior

The spread of the Asian Clam in Lower Lough Ree and the risks associated with it were investigated by the project team in order to develop a risk model. The expansion of this non native species was causing a decline in the community’s tourism and affecting the local fishermen and people of the town. Three steps were included in the project: firstly the effects that the Asian Clams have had on lakes and rivers across the world, and specifically in Ireland, were analysed including those on other native species; secondly the group compared the Asian Clams to other invasive species, researched their life cycle and conducted experiments to measure the growth rate and all the different abiotic factors necessary to inform their risk model; finally they compiled a report with the results of their tests. In addition, they ran an awareness campaign by conducting a radio interview on the topic and by displaying the findings of their project in the local library.

How music has wings

Carrick on Shannon Community school, Co. Leitrim

Senior

An initial common passion for music and the environment has lead this group to develop an interest in birds, their songs and habitats. The young people were concerned that birdsong is becoming white noise and people are now becoming less and less aware of the natural music around them. That is why they decided to highlight the importance the singing of birds has played for the music that presently surrounds us by showing people how birdsong has influenced the existing genres of music and how it can be of further inspiration for new genres of music. This project also explored how migrating birds have influenced different cultures through music. To raise awareness about their research, they designed a website called “How Music Has Wings” and they set up a ‘Like’ page on Facebook and a Twitter account. In addition Leitrim’s Art Council helped to spread the message through an advertisement in the Leitrim Observer.

Stop The Fowl Play

CBS Roscommon, Co. Roscommon

Senior

The aim of this action project was to raise awareness about the rapid decline of the bird population living in peat bogs around the country and what could be done to prevent it further. The group consulted an ecologist from Bord na Móna to gather information about the species of birds and how best to help them. The awareness campaign included visits to four primary schools around the Roscommon town area during which the group presented their findings and discoveries using a slide presentation as well as providing work sheets to the school pupils. They also set up a Facebook page. The group had great coverage in the local newspapers, the Roscommon People and Roscommon Herald.

The culmination of their awareness campaign was a world record attempt for the largest amount of people wearing beaks (626 people) in one place which was aired by their local radio station Shannonside.

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B&B for Birds and Bugs

Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass Co. Wicklow

Senior

What better place for bugs to live than a five stars ‘Bug Hotel’? Birds are also catered for and enjoy a luxurious stay in one of the four bird sanctuary boxes! The idea of offering accommodation to bugs and birds came after fieldwork and research undertaken in the surrounding of their school. This research highlighted that their populations had dramatically dropped compared to previous students’ surveys. While searching for an answer to what happened to all the bugs and birds, the group realised that the construction of the newly built school extension must have resulted in the destruction of their habitats. This was the drive for the creation of the birds and bugs sanctuaries. They raised awareness about their project - in their school. on social networks and by giving talks to other classes

Ag déileáil agus ag staidéir le creimeadh Ithreach Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Co. Kilkenny

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

Shochriagh an ghrúpa seo fáil amach ar cheard iad na factóiri atá ag baint le creimeah ithreach ar sléibhte. Bhí an suim ag an mbeirt seo i dreapadoireaht agus in eolaíocht. Bhí taithí ag an mberit chomh maith ag oibriú le chéile cheanna féin agus go n-obróidís go maith le cheile arís mar fhoireann. Theastaigh uathu na factóiri seo a aimsiú ionas go mbéidis in ann a chuir in iúl do dhaoine conas mar a chuireann said leis an fhadhb trid a gcuid cleachtaí ar nós breis siúlóidi ar shleibhtí. Chomh maith le seo theastaigh ón ghrúpa seo a thaipéaint gur feidir linn cursaí creimidh a fheadhsú go heasca ar nós breis fraoich a chur. Scaip said a gcuid tortahí agus a gcuid eolais le grúpaí dreapadóireata agus an phobail, feirmeoirí ina measc thart ar Chill Channaigh. Bhunagh said cumann chun dul ag labahirt le polaiteori foai thábahcht na timpellacahta agus ce chomh tábhacht is atá sé dul i ngleic ar fhadh ar nós creimeadh ithreach.

Cleaning up Skerries North Beach Skerries Community College, Dublin

Senior

Litter on Irish beaches is a huge issue and the team from Skerries Community College decided to come together and take action.

The project aimed to reduce litter on Skerries North Beach and encouraging Fingal County Council to put bins on the 1.2 km stretch of this much loved local beach. The project investigated the impact that litter can have on marine life and the ways in which we can all improve our management of waste. One of the objectives was to bring this environmental issue to the attention of the local community by approaching Fingal County Council and asking to install more bins on the beach. The group hoped this project would help maintain their local amenity area as litter-free and contribute to protect marine life.

Garnia

Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Senior

What better idea for an action project than getting everyone involved in transforming an empty courtyard into a recycled multi-functional garden which they all could use as a social space to spend their lunch and free time? The team from Calasanctius College gathered materials such as paint, plastic bottles and crates from family and friends and worked all together to make the garden. They also got the special needs unit in their school involved in the project because it benefited them greatly and helped them in their learning. To raise awareness about their project, they hung up posters around the school and made announcements around the intercom to make their message go even further!

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Habitat Loss

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Senior

The team decided to come together as part of the ECO-UNESCO’s Youth for Sustainable Development; Global Youth Leaders for Change Peer Education Programme. Habitat loss was a topic all the team members were passionate about. This project was focused on the impacts of habitat loss on animals and their consequences. They decided to give talks to first year classes to broaden their understanding of habitat loss. They further expanded on their project by developing a music video with a parody of the song “Let it go” adapted on the theme of biodiversity and sang by one of their team mates. This was a fun and entertaining way of raising awareness. Finally the team facilitated workshops with three first year classes which included a presentation, a parody song and a questionnaire.

ECO-UNESCO Club

To bee or not to bee

Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin

Senior

This team of friends was sprang into action by the realisation that pollinators are responsible for 1/3 of the food we eat. The knowledge that our global food supply depends on their existence, yet they are in severe decline due to loss of habitat, improper use of pesticides, pollution, invasive species and lack of food, was the motivation for their action project. The project focused on how we all can help. A model for a ‘pollinator friendly’ garden was created to exemplify how to attract bees in our back gardens. In the future the team will continue their awareness campaign about pollinators and how to help them through a video, a website, a Facebook page and a leaflet with a lot of useful information on the topic which they will distribute to schools, libraries and other areas.

Wet Wipe Hype

Meanscoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co. Galway

Senior

The aim of this project was to raise awareness about the problems associated with flushing wet wipes down our toilets. The group’s aim was to inform their school community and the wider general public about the environmental effect of this action. Their interest in this topic was sparked by a former Transition Year class that discovered a large number of wet wipes entangled in the sea weed during a beach clean-up. The awareness campaign sought to 1.Reduce the use of wet wipes by students in their school and wider community 2.Reduce the amount of wet wipes flushed down the toilets in their school 3.Reduce the number of wet wipes that get washed up on the beaches. The group also created a presentation that was displayed in their school to highlight the goals of their project.

Wormery works 2

St. Joseph’s College, Athlone, Roscommon

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This team wanted to learn from the previous groups actions who entered the YEA and improve upon them. The group recognised that worms can be used to benefit people’s gardens, and they felt that their project could highlight this benefit. The team also realised that the majority of people did not realise the great benefits that worms bring to the environment.

They wanted their project to help people see these benefits by making a worm compost bin. They designed a compost bin with several layers.

The top layer contained the worms. There were also layers for soil and newspaper. They hoped to produce ‘’Worm tea’’ which is used to fertilise the soil in garden. Posters were designed and placed around the school to promote the action project and they also gave advice how to start a wormery. The benefits of the Worm Tea to in adding to soils nutrients was also highlighted in their awareness campaign.

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08/05/2015 16:20:47

Climate Change Gender equality and climate change

Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Senior

This project was based on climate change and it effects on Gender Equality.

As a group they had set themselves the goal of raising awareness about the links between these two topics. Firstly, they researched and gathered information on the topics, they analysed the facts they found to help them compose a survey. To raise awareness they used the surveys they had created, they distributed these within inner city Dublin.

They asked people about different gender and climate issues which are happening globally. The survey was distributed among the people they were interviewing and they also included a fact sheet to provide people with more information. Acting on the feedback from the general public they realized that many people are not aware of the impact that climate change has on gender equality and that there is still a lot that has to be done in order to overcome gender inequality.

ECO-UNESCO Club

World War Tree

Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Senior

This young group from ECO-UNESCO’s Youth for Sustainable Development; Youth Peer Education Programme is really concerned about climate change and biodiversity. They started their project with the aim of raising awareness while spreading the knowledge about the conflict between Non-Human biodiversity and Humans. They decided the best way to raise awareness and share information would be to make a movie and they set up a social network page. They felt this was the best approach to reach out to people. The group also built a tree from recycled materials which they got from friends and family and they put it on display for visitors to their schools and ECO-UNESCO to view.

The group raised awareness about their project by setting up a social media campaign on Facebook and YouTube and they also held information sessions.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Investigating egg membranes for their ability to absorb carbon dioxide St. Mary’s College, Co. Derry

Senior

Are eggs a potential sources of new life? Could they also be the source of bringing new life to a beleaguered planet? These were the questions posed by this group. They recognised that this potential green resource is just being thrown away and that is why this team decided to investigate if claims were true, that egg shell membrane could absorb carbon dioxide.

They researched the background information, planned and carried out the experiments, processed the results of their findings and designed a filter to remove carbon dioxide from the air. After they tested the filter they discovered that indeed, it removed carbon dioxide from the air! To raise awareness about their project, they displayed their findings in their school.

Poison at street level: Measuring urban NO2 levels at peak traffic flow under different atmospheric conditions St. Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin

Senior

High on this group’s agenda was the topic of air quality. As a team they decided it would be a great idea to focus their project on the levels of Carbon Dioxide in Dublin. They got a device called AQMesh, which collected data 24/7 for two and a half weeks. It measured NO2, humidity, atmosphere pressure and temperature.

From these results, they analysed the changing and varied levels of NO2 and the different atmospheric conditions. They measured traffic flow to see if it had an effect on the air quality and they also looked at ways to reduce NO2 levels through improvements to cement and catalytic converters. After they completed their research, they drafted a report with the results from all their tests. To raise awareness they contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and Dublin City Council.

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08/05/2015 16:20:49

Transport into the future

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Senior

Global warming was the environmental issue that this team chose to tackle. Their team was composed of young people who wanted to be part of a global warming prevention group. Their project focused on the prevention of Climate Change and Global Warming in their community.

The group organised a cycle from the Greenhouse in Dublin City centre to Howth, it included members of the local community. They also made a movie about their project as a group. This team also organised talks for groups of young people in their community to discuss the effects of climate change. They chose young people as they felt that these are the people who will be most affected by climate change in the future. To raise awareness about their project, they set up a Facebook page where people could see the progress on their project and made posters to make people aware of it.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Using Biomimicry to carbon neutralise concrete production Ballyclare High School, Co. Antrim

Senior

Concrete production contributed to 2 billion tons of CO2 emissions annually. Some of the negative consequences of high CO2 emissions include climate change, habitat loss and rising sea levels. This group is very aware of this issue and thought that lowering the amount of CO2 produced during the process of concrete production could contribute to reducing these negative impacts on the environment. They researched different ways of reducing CO2 emissions and found that corals use CO2 and seawater to produce a hard exoskeleton. They realised that this method is the same as the process used to make cement. After some testing, they replicated this process to produce cement which could be really helpful in reducing the amount of CO2 emissions. To raise awareness about their project, they uploaded all the information they got through their experiments to their school website.

ECO-Art & Design Fantastic Plastic Couture

Mary Immaculate School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare

Junior

Tackling the issue of waste in a creative way was the goal of this group’s action project. The group recognised that they had an abundance of plastic bags and refuse sacks in their school, so they decided on making a dress which would be a good and creative way to raise awareness about the issue of waste. The young people managed to knit the waste items together to create something beautiful, out of something which is so often discarded. The group worked as a team to build upon their own existing skill-set and also learned new skills such as knitting. The young people also used plastic bottles to great effect in their project to enhance the design of the dress. They raised awareness by spreading the message on Twitter and Facebook and they also held school talks.

Re using Recycled materials - Plastic PALS Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont, Dublin

Junior

By re-using every day materials this group of young people wanted to show the potential of upcycling. Plastic Pals are plastic holders for items such as stationery, makeup brushes and plants. These adorable little holders are eco-friendly because they are made from reused recycled materials. This group had a brilliant idea and designed and developed the items because, as-well as reusing and recycling, they also wanted to promote creativity. They wanted to achieve awareness about their project and their school ECO committee, by spreading the word to their friends, teachers and fellow-students. They also raised awareness by creating posters which were displayed throughout the school and presentations were made to the classes within their school.

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08/05/2015 16:20:50

Even dragons recycle Listowel Youthreach, Co. Kerry

Senior

As part of Listowel Youthreach’s programme to raise environmental awareness amongst young people, this group constructed a giant colourful dragon from waste, upcycled and recycled materials as their art/design project entitled ‘’Even Dragons Recycle’’. They organised a Halloween Fancy dress parade around the town of Listowel led by the giant dragon.

The parade was a huge success with about 500 people participating and it is hoped that this will become an annual event. The aim of the project was to educate children about recycling in a fun and community based way highlighting the endless creative possibilities of recycling and the benefits to the community and the environment.

Sustainable Style

St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare

Senior

The objective of this project was to raise awareness about sustainable fashion. The group included information in their project relating to the exploited natural resources used to make “fast fashion” and researched a sample of retail stores. They discovered that whilst some brands have environmental management strategies, many don’t take enough care to protect the environment. They created a dress made from recycled materials such as coke cans. The purpose of this was to show that anything can be made into a piece of art. To raise awareness, they carried out a survey, produced posters, and set up a Facebook page to help enhance people’s knowledge on this topic.

Woven Data

Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group decided to work together as they all have similar ideas on fashion and design. They researched designs and waste materials which they could use to make a junk couture dress. They found unused floppy disks in local businesses and thought that this action project was a good way to challenge the issues of waste in the environment. They sought the help of their art teacher and fellow students who had previously made dresses from waste materials. They also designed posters looking for waste materials for their dress and put them up around the school, shops and local businesses, to create awareness of their junk couture dress. To raise awareness, they showcased the dress at a fashion competition in Castlebar, Co. Mayo in March.

Mediva

Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath

Senior

A shared love of fashion and design allowed this group to combat the issue of waste. This group worked towards creating a cleaner better future, in a fun artistic way. They spent many hours of their lunch and free time making the dress from parts of coke cans and other materials, and it looked great!

To raise awareness, they made up posters looking for waste materials to use in their dress. They also talked to people in the local shops and cafes about what they were doing in their project, encouraging them to take an interest in having a cleaner environment.

Miss Cantastic

Heywood Community School, Ballinakill Co. Laois

Senior

This group wanted to highlight the potential of waste materials in their action project. They created an outfit to highlight the potential of reusing aluminium cans. The project was made from hundreds of cans. They wanted to transform a worn, grey primary school uniform into a bright, beautiful dress, linking past, present and future through recycling. This group wanted to promote and raise awareness about the fact that aluminium recycling provides many environmental, economic and community benefits. They highlighted the fact that reusing aluminium saves energy, time, money and also preserves the environment. They raised awareness about their project further through social media, local newspapers and public exhibitions.

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

ECO-Community Development Creepy Crawlies

St. Tiernans, Dundrum, Dublin,

Junior

This team developed a bio-garden for their project. They chose this project as they wanted to educate people about the importance of protecting the local environment. The goal for 2015 was to build two insect hotels. They hoped this would be a great way to educate people about the importance of biodiversity. This concept is especially impressive as it not only improves their school environment, it also leaves a visual reminder of the importance of biodiversity to those who see it. A meeting was arranged for all those who were interested in getting involved and tasks were divided amongst the team members based on their interests and skills. The young people raised awareness in local primary schools with information sessions in the form of a power point presentation which focused on the importance of biodiversity.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Free Cycle - A recycle approach

S.A.Y.S.W.A.A.C.C. Whitefriar/Aungier Area Community Council, Dublin Senior

This team emerged organically from the various clubs and activities that the young people ran within the Youth Service and the Community Council. Their project, was a continuation of previous environmental action projects taken up by the young people. The group hoped that this environmental action project would demonstrate the positive impact that recycling could have on the entire local community. The team members raised awareness distributing buckets, so organic waste could be recycled in their compost heap and wormery. The young people commented that their garden is a great advertisement for their project as people can see the benefits of their actions.

They feel this is a great way to raise awareness and to educate people to the benefits of recycling within the community.

Keep calm and stay Zen

Ballinrobe Community School, Co. Mayo

Senior

Ballinrobe Community School’s engineering class chose to create an environmentally friendly Zen Garden. As classmates, deciding on the tasks was made easy as they were all familiar with each other’s skills. The group’s goal focused on creating a Zen Garden with a fully functioning waterwheel, made from recycled materials. They used recycled railway sleepers around the waterwheel so students can come out and sit down and relax. It is hoped this project will represent their legacy in the school. The young people chose to raise awareness through their local community by contacting The Mayo News which published an article on their plans for the Zen Garden and they also involved groups such as the Local Tidy Towns Committee.

Sustainable garden St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare

Senior

This team decided to choose a sustainable garden as their action project.

The group chose this as all members were passionate about improving their sustainability. The land they used for the garden was previously covered in dead trees and rubbish, but this team could see the potential in this area. This project also has a local to global link. The group feels that their project stands as a good example to all young people. They feel that anyone can follow their lead and take a piece of unused land and turn it into a productive garden while also having good fun doing it. They don’t see any reason why other people can’t follow their example and create a sustainable garden in their own homes or schools around the world.

ECO-UNESCO Club

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08/05/2015 16:20:56

Our Memorial Garden

CDYSB - Stoneybatter Youth Service, Dublin

Senior

Improving their local community by reducing littering and pollution was the goal of this teams action project. The team did a clean-up around their local area picking up the rubbish and litter. During the clean-up residents were encouraged to come out and take part. This was deemed a huge success as it raised awareness of the importance of keeping the community litter free. The team did a leaflet drop, they also contacted and met with Dublin City Council representatives, who donated pick-up sticks and refuse bags. The project has increased the young people’s self-esteem and confidence and also gave them a sense of accomplishment and pride when their project was completed.

This action project resulted in the team creating and designing a memorial garden for everyone in the area who has passed away within their community.

Our Outdoor Classroom

Villiers Secondary School, Limerick

Senior

The young people from Villiers Secondary School provided an outdoor classroom for the school. This allowed students to complete technology projects regardless of the weather. It allowed them to work outdoors when painting and using lacquers. The action project also provided the school with an area to grow seeds and store plants during the winter months, which helped boost the schools biodiversity. The team were united in a goal of designing a structure for the school which would last for years to come. They raised awareness about their project with talks and through a media campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

Global Citizen’s Mapping The Future Portmarnock Community School, Dublin

Senior

These young people were greatly influenced in their choice of project by visits from Fingal County Council relating to humanitarian mapping.

The group formed out of a mutual wish to help other groups that were twinned with schools from developing countries. The team chose this topic as they realised the importance of it from a humanitarian, environmental and development perspective. The team are committed to the concept of Global Citizenship, and they feel this project highlights the reality of the global village and they also believe that their action project helps to highlight the connectivity between all people and how we can all affect the lives of others. This group recognised that mapping was a great way to help countries develop with respect to their planning for flood prevention, food provision and combating natural disasters.

The team used Twitter, their school website and they also visited other schools to highlight their action project.

ECO-Enterprise ECO-Elves

Ballyclare High School, Co. Antrim

Junior

The Ballyclare Highschool ECO-Club decided to take part in the YEA with a project that involved researching and planning a business idea that would help to make Christmas a more sustainable time of year. Christmas is a time of year celebrated by so many people but which can be very detrimental to our environment due to excessive consumption and waste generation. They aimed to create a brand and range of products which were not only eco-friendly but which would provide opportunities to educate people on environmentally friendly habits at Christmas time.

This would allow them to generate funding that they could reinvest in their eco-club projects in school. To raise awareness about this environmental issue, they displayed their products in classrooms in their school.

ECO-UNESCO Club

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08/05/2015 16:20:58

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Energy Can alternative energy power a house?

Naas CNS, Co. Kildare

Junior

This group wanted to investigate alternative green energy sources.

They questioned whether alternative energy sources could power a house. Over the course of this project they conducted experiments, researched different kinds of energy and visited a hydro electric power station to establish if this was possible. They created their own circuits using common batteries and then made fruit and vegetable batteries.

They visited Turlough Hill Hydro Power station as part of their research and created a 3D model to explain how the pumped storage station works.

They tested the power of solar, wind, hydro and kinetic energy and designed detailed diagrams to explain how these generated power.The group also raised awareness about their project in their school and local community.

Fuel Cells - power for the future

Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meain, Co. Galway

Junior

This group wanted to investigate fuel cell energy and innovation as they viewed this as an ideal alternative power source for the future. By thoroughly investigating the scientific components, coupled with an in depth evaluation of the environmental impact, the group proved that fuel cells are indeed the ideal eco-fuel of the future. They researched the development and the current status of this global phenomenon and have concluded that despite a lack of global investment, this form of energy is indeed an everyday option for many. They proved that a switch to a fuel cell pack can have a positive impact on our environment. To raise awareness about this issue, they created a social media campaign on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

Energy is life and life is Energy do not waste it Mercy College Coolock, Dublin

Junior

Energy conservation was the motivation for this group of Young Environmentalist’s action project. These young people were concerned about energy waste and they wanted to tackle this issue. To raise awareness about energy waste and how to reduce it, this group held an energy awareness week in their school. They also made an energy presentation to groups within their school. The team created signage to highlight their ‘Turn it off’’ campaign. Guest speakers were organised from ECO-UNESCO, SEAI, An TAISCE and the ESB to promote the concept of energy conservation. Their project has resulted in greater awareness amongst the young people about the benefits of energy conservation.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Not “mush-room” for turf anymore!

Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath

Senior

As the title suggests, this team thought developing an alternative energy source from waste material would be a great idea and indeed, it was!

The project aimed to investigate if Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) can be used as a viable fuel source. The project compared the fuels efficiency to other fuels available on the Irish market. They investigated different components such as moisture content, organic content and optimum size using various experiments to see if they could use SMC as a viable fuel. They aimed to compact this compost into a burnable unit that has the potential to compete efficiently with normal peat turf. To make their message go even further, they had talks with young people from other classes to show them their results and how they could we use Spent Mushroom Compost as a viable fuel in the future!

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08/05/2015 16:21:00

Our school environment

St. Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght, Dublin

Senior

This school aimed to educate young people, staff and the local community on how to monitor the energy and electricity that is used in their school. Their aim was to raise awareness about saving energy so that they can help conserve resources for future generations.

They researched energy consumption, did an energy audit, set up their school garden and helped to build flower beds with the aid of their woodwork teacher. Their idea was a total success, and to raise awareness about how important keeping their school environment is, they held a Development Education Week, held a switch off campaign, put up posters and signs telling people to switch off electronics and spoke to the Princiapl and Board of management about changing all light bulbs to energy saving ones.

The use of Halophytes as Biofuels Skerries Community College, Dublin

Senior

This group was concerned about fossil fuel use, due to their impact on the environment. They also recognised that they are a finite resource and we need alternative energy sources. This project focused on finding an alternative energy source to fossil fuels which is both sustainable and environmentally friendly. The group identified the coastline as a great resource to offer an alternative energy solution. They researched the characteristics of coastal halophytes and how they could be used as a viable biofuel. After several tests with different experimental methods, they found that biofuel could be made from halophytes and with further research and development this team believes that they could be used in the future as a valid alternative to fossil fuels. To raise awareness about their project they held talks in their school and they also launched a social media campaign.

Energizer Bunnies

St. Tiernan’s Community School, Dundrum, Dublin

Senior

These group members were really concerned about how important saving energy is to protect the environment, so they decided to complete an energy saving project. They chose a bicycle because they thought this was a good way to capture people’s attention and raise awareness about their project. They decided to make a bicycle from 100% recycled materials. They talked to their woodwork teacher about their idea and he kindly donated some materials. Their aim was to teach people about energy but more importantly they wanted to highlight energy conservation through their action project. To raise awareness about conserving energy they created posters to display in their school and they also held information sessions in their school assembly and they organised talks in the local primary schools.

Waste not, heat more

Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This team came up with the idea for the project as they were very interested in finding out how much heat was being lost through the use of open fires. This project reduces the amount of fossil fuels being used, as the combustion process becomes more efficient. The group recognised that an added benefit is a reduced impact on the environment. This project captures the escaping heat from open fires using a metal coil which is inserted in the chimney. This coil once heated is used to heat the house’s water supply. The team achieved their goal, of harvesting additional heat from open fires.

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08/05/2015 16:21:03

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Transport Transport Transformers

Colaiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee, Dublin

Junior

This group decided to take part in the Young Environmentalist Awards because they wanted to tackle air pollution from vehicles. The young people researched the effects of pollution from the different forms of transport used in the daily commute to their school. They researched what measures could be taken to prevent or reduce their carbon footprint, since they feel the issue of air pollution from vehicles is increasing in their community. They decided to develop an action plan and started making short stop motion films about the air pollution to create awareness in a fun and creative way. They also promoted their project by uploading all their films to YouTube, their school website and they started a campaign on Twitter, which was a total success!

Bicycle Buccaneers

St. Joseph’s College, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

Senior

This team’s project tackles the environmental issue of global warming.

They thought it would be great to take part in the Young Environmentalist Awards to raise awareness about alternative transport options that have a reduced impact on the environment. The project highlights how the team are continuing to help their school reduce its carbon footprint. The group held fundraisers to provide the school with the facilities needed to get its young people on the right path to help the environment.

The project aims to educate the school’s young people on the issues caused by air pollution from vehicle emissions. To raise awareness they encouraged students to cycle to school, they created a song about cycle safety and they encouraged their classmates to cycle to school in fancy dress in May.

Operation Transportation

St. Kilian’s German School, Clonskeagh, Dublin

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group decided to work together when they realized they all had similar ideas and thought it would be nice to raise environmental awareness about greener transport options. This project looked at the daily commute of St. Killian’s young people to and from school. Team members conducted surveys, they carried out video interviews and took photographs of problematic junctions, pedestrian crossings and bike paths. The bulk of their study looked specifically at the reasons behind student’s choice of transport and identified any obstacles faced by students on their daily commute. The team contacted Dublin Bus, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dublin City Council and Road safety Ireland to highlight issues surfacing from their research. To raise awareness, they contacted the parent’s association and board of management of their school to discuss their findings.

ECO-UNESCO Club

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08/05/2015 16:21:05

Waste Save your skin!

Firies National School, Co. Kerry

Junior

The team of twenty-five young people decided to divide into five groups with each group having a specific responsibility. Realising that this group could reduce the amount of waste in landfills, they set about highlighting the benefits of banana skins. This project raised awareness of the fact that a banana skin can take two years to decompose. The group found from research that the skins can be put to good uses, for example to shine shoes and silver, moisturise skin and cure warts and other skin conditions. They made a model of Carrauntoohil and painted it to highlight and raise awareness of the visible pollution that discarded banana skins can cause. They laid out banana skins in the school yard to show the area that one banana skin from each pupil would take up. This was also a means to educate people on the issue of waste management and the need for creative solutions to reduce the amount of waste we produce in the world. Surveys were used to establish the levels of awareness in the school about waste and how long items took to decompose.

Waste not want not

Millstreet Community School, Co. Cork

Junior

Millstreet Community School’s group came up with a simple aim for their action project: Cleaning up their school. The group thought that their school had a problem with waste and so they wanted to introduce recycling bins to help manage the waste in their school. A team formed with a common goal of combating waste in their school. To achieve their goal, they had to analyse what the waste situation was, find out where the worst affected areas were and the best places for the new bins. They also knew that they had to get the whole school involved, so they worked with the Student Council to organise a poster competition for the whole school to take part in designing posters and logos for their campaign. To highlight their project and raise awareness about it, they met with the Student Council to decide on the winning logos which would then be displayed on the new bins.

Do you waste bottled water?

Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna,Co. Clare

Junior

This group of young people noticed that there were often bottles with water left in them in the bins. This gave them the idea for the project. The aims of the project were: 1) To see how much water is left in bottles at the end of the day. 2) To see what students had to say in relation to their wastage of bottled water. 3) To make the students more aware of the effects of wasting bottled water and 4) To encourage students to change their habits regarding water wastage.

They collected bottles with water left in them at the end of the school day and measured how much water was left in them, gave a questionnaire to a sample of students in the school and drafted up a report about bottled water waste.

They raised awareness about their project by launching a poster campaign in the school to make students aware of the negative effects of water wastage.

Every Bag Helps

Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Belfast, Co. Antrim

Junior

These young people decided to work together on this project because they are all very concerned about waste issues. They transformed their school and local community into an eco-friendly environment. This project’s aim was to encourage the community to learn about the effects of waste on the environment both locally and globally and to encourage everyone to take action and become more sustainable. They launched a ‘Cash for Clobber Campaign’ aimed at encouraging the school and local community to reuse and recycle old clothes and all proceeds were donated to Trocáire who are helping to reduce the effects of climate change in Developing Countries. They also launched an Anti-litter campaign & litter pick up to clean their communities. To raise awareness about their project they designed posters, flyers, letters, a video to advertise their campaign and even masks!

ECO-UNESCO Club

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08/05/2015 16:21:07

Swap Shop

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Dublin

Junior

This group decided that recycling as an initiative is well understood, but re-using is something that very few people are aware of. One young person suggested that reusing unwanted Christmas presents would be a great idea, and so it was decided that a swap shop would form the basis for their action project. It was also agreed that the swap shop would have three categories, books, clothes and unwanted gifts. One hundred and nine items were swapped, and reused. Approximately five hundred people were made aware through presentations given to each class in the school.The young people calculated that they saved approximately 1919.05 Kg of C02. Surveys also played an important role in highlighting the change in attitudes amongst the student body. The findings of their project were highlighted in the school newsletter and school website in an effort to raise as much awareness as possible.

Litter in the town brings it down !

Moate Community School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Westmeath Senior

This group’s action project aimed to create a better, cleaner environment around their local town. The group would like to make their own town more attractive to their community and to tourists.

They would like to make people more aware of cleaning and removing litter from the footpaths around their school and the town of Moate. They wanted to raise awareness amongst dog owners of their responsibilities to clean up after their dogs, to use ECO Dog Waste Bags and to minimise the amount of dog litter on the footpaths. They designed attractive and informative posters to increase people’s awareness of looking after their town and community and asked them to complete surveys to find out their opinions and suggestions on the litter reduction. To make their message go even further, they constructed a stall and handed out the local people leaflets and biodegradable dog waste bags.

A greener Tee

Castleknock College, Dublin

Senior

This group from Castleknock College recognised that they could reduce the amount of plastics used in the manufacture of golf tees. They came up with the idea of a biodegradable golf tee, made from seaweed. This tee biodegrades in a short period of time and supplies nutrients to the soil. This concept has the benefit of improving soil quality and reducing the need to use fertilisers on golf courses, while removing the need for conventional plastic tees. The group, researched various methods and materials, and managed to create a fully biodegradable tee made from seaweed. They also had a number of articles published in National newspapers.

Waste not feed a lot

Youthreach Clara, Co. Offaly

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Senior

Clara Youthreach’s team had a shared interest in reducing waste in an environmentally friendly manner. They already grew their own vegetables using organic methods, but they wanted to start composting as much waste as they could to grow vegetables and cut down on waste. They looked at different methods of composting waste in order to find a method that would suit them best. They decided to make two different types of bins, and do a trial on them to see how they worked. They set about doing some research and carried out a survey on composting in the local area in order to find out how many people composted and if they had any difficulties in this area. From this, they discovered that a lot of people did not know how to use the compost they had made. The group raised awareness by hosting information days, visiting schools and further promoting organic fertilizers within their local community with the goal of reducing waste and improving soil quality.

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An examination of the hazards associated with livestock gases and how these gases can be utilized in an environmentally friendly way Coláiste Ide agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick

Senior

The aim of Coláiste Íde agus Iosef’s project was to examine the risks associated with slurry gases and to deal with this threat in an environmentally friendly way. This team was motivated to start their action project as they discovered that these gases pose extremely high threats to farmers and animals as well as the environment. Firstly, they built a model to investigate the potential of their invention. Their design allows for anaerobic digestion of these slurry gases to occur in an airtight environment. The greenhouse gases, then move through a hydrogen sulphide filter. The methane and carbon dioxide is finally bubbled through water and the carbon dioxide is removed, leaving pure methane. By using this method, none of the greenhouse gases are released into the environment. The team have made local farmers more aware of the dangers or potential dangers from these gases.

Eco-Friendly Organic Waste Disposal Unit St. Aloysius’ College, Carrightwohill, Co. Cork

Senior

Living near a landfill site gave this group the idea for their action project and the motivation to come up with ideas to reduce the amount of waste produced at home by getting rid of organic waste. Their idea was to construct wormeries, and an in-house food waste disposal unit. This waste disposal unit is odourless, unobtrusive and an efficient way of composting. They had to make the wormeries, carry out the experiment and record the results. To prove that wormeries could be suitable for indoors, they conducted an experiment testing five different types of food that lasted five weeks. They proved it was possible to have an indoor wormery to breakdown raw organic matter into compost.

To raise awareness about their project, they circulated flyers and they also carried out a survey to gauge people’s perception of wormeries.

Green options project

Victoria College Belfast, Belfast

Senior

Believing that waste is not to be wasted, this group wanted to raise awareness about the benefits of choosing the right options regarding waste materials. They raised awareness of the current situation of waste by creating an anti-litter game, Green Options, an app, Green Choices, and an Eco Website. The Eco Intranet was used for the creation of surveys. The whole school shared their views on waste and by presenting at their waste assembly the group demonstrated the benefits of minimising waste by cleaning up the local area. The group also made an Eco Mural made from items which were deemed to be “waste” and raised funds for their school through their achievements and recycling scheme. The actions were focused on the school becoming as sustainable as possible and minimise consumption within the school.

Litter and Waste

Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Co. Kildare

Senior

This group focused on the waste management issue as they all felt it needed to be tackled in their town. After a number of team meetings, they decided to provide double sided bins for a specific area in their hometown, Newbridge. They chose bins as the best way of helping their town with waste management, so they contacted Kildare County Council, researched sources to get funds to buy the bins and created a stand for the Science Fair. They organised a meeting with their local TD Martin Heydon, shared their project with their friends and they also set up a Twitter account and Facebook page and created a logo for the campaign in order to raise awareness about their project.

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Loose a bag!

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Rice College Westport, Co. Mayo

Senior

As part of their Transition Year, Rice College’s young people wanted to help the Tidy Towns Committee in Westport combat waste. They set about trying to reduce waste wrappers from fast food outlets as this was something the team were passionate about. From their research they found that fast food outlets in Westport use two paper bags for their chips and a box or wrapper for their burgers. The team set a target of reducing that to one bag or one wrapper, and no sachets. Through their awareness campaign on social media and local press and radio stations the group tried to encourage people to dispose and recycle litter correctly. As a team they met and spoke to fast food managers, they explained to them that they are very serious about reducing litter in Westport and gave them information and suggestions on how best to reduce waste in their community.

Raising awareness of silage wrap disposal

St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group was interested in doing this action project as they felt the topic was very important to them as it impacted on their community’s environment. The project investigated the causes, effects and consequences of burning silage wrap. The project also looked at the consequences of dumping silage wrap and littering the surrounding area.

To raise awareness an information brochure was produced aimed at local farmers. The group handed the brochures into the local post offices and shops where their target audience would be able to access it on a daily basis. Feedback from farmers has shown that since the brochure was introduced to the local community, it has made a positive impact in reducing the incorrect disposal of silage wrap. The team hope that this positive trend will continue and they hope that ongoing awareness

Water Waterworks

Coláiste Nano Nagle, Limerick

Junior

This young group was concerned about the water that was being wasted in their school. This was their motivation to take part in the Young Environmentalist Awards. They wanted to raise awareness about water conservation both in their school and at home, so they researched and learnt about water shortages in Africa. The group also gathered water bottles from friends, family and schoolmates and created a costume to highlight the need to conserve water in their daily lives. This group also highlighted the issue in their school through information sessions and they fixed all the water leaks in their school. They raised awareness by creating a Newsletter and by taking part in a school fashion show to promote the dress they had created.

ECO-UNESCO Club

Whacky Water Presentation Secondary School, TraleeCo. Kerry

Senior

Whacky Water was the concept that captured the imagination for this Munster group when their teacher first made them aware of ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards. The group chose to do their project on Water as it is one of the most topical issues at the moment in Ireland. They chose this project as they had a great interest in water, water wastage, saving water and water charges. They also wanted to research how water can cause disasters such as tsunamis and typhoons which destroy so many lives around the world. Their project consists of an impressive video which they created to raise awareness of these disasters to the local people within their community. To raise further awareness, they shared the video on Twitter and Facebook so they could reach a global audience.

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Conserving and promoting sustainable water use in Pobalscoil Neasรกin Pobalscoil Neasรกin, Baldoyle, Dublin

Senior

This group of young people sought to carry out a number of actions to shine the spot light on water conservation within their school. They decided to meet once a week for their YEA project. Awareness of how to save water at home and in the school was part of the project and a successful poster campaign was run throughout the school. The project has to date; installed a new water de-ioniser in the Science Lab which will help to save over 900 litres of waste water and placed hand sanitizers in specified areas and laboratories which will help reduce water usage, they also installed a water butt within the school grounds which will harvest rain water so that other school services can run sustainably. The team raised awareness conducting a class survey and creating posters.

The water savers

Meรกnscoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co. Galway

Senior

Wanting to reduce the amount of water wastage, this group thought taking part in the YEA was a great opportunity to tackle this environmental issue. Focusing on water conservation they carried out research in their school and discovered that the majority (79%) of the young people were not using the water saving button that had been fitted at the back of the toilets. They decided to make a water saving device which they planned to insert in all of the toilets in their school which would automatically save water with each flush. The device they made consisted of recycled or reused materials and did not cost any money to make. Their device saves 500ml of water with each flush and has been fitted in 38 toilets in the school.

The development of a prototype citizen monitoring water quality test kit Kinsale Community School, Co. Cork

Senior

Concerned with the issue of water pollution, this project aimed to evaluate the use of an oxygen demand test as an indicator of water quality. This can then be used in citizen monitoring to determine if water is safe to swim in. The two young people were instructing a number of younger children in sailing when they wanted to go swimming but they were told the water was not clean enough to swim in. They started thinking about the development of a test and how helpful it would be in determining if the water was suitable for swimming. Then they decided to investigate and build a citizen monitoring water quality test. To raise awareness about their project, they shared the results with their families, school mates and teachers and also made posters.

World Water Day

Youth for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Leaders for Change (YSD), Dublin Senior

This ECO-UNESCO Youth Peer Education Programme group was interested in the topic of water, and decided to enter the awards with a project for International World Water Day. The day focused on Sustainable Development making links between the 7 themes that the United Nations provided for World Water Day 2015. They decided to organise an event for young people to raise awareness. The event was organised and facilitated by this group; and over 50 young people attended the event at The Greenhouse, In Dublin City centre where they hosted different workshops and activities highlighting the benefits of sustainable water for all. Their aim was to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable water for everybody living on the Earth.

ECO-UNESCO Club

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

ECO-Health & Wellbeing Steady ship Steady life.

Youthreach Clara, Co. Offaly

Senior

This group wanted to highlight that there is a need for an anchor to hang onto in the stormy sea of life’s ocean. This project is about the importance of keeping healthy and well. They started the project by investigating what these anchors could be in their lives and created an anchor board.

This was a way of finding out what are the anchors in the lives of the young people and staff in their centre. They did a survey to see what these anchors were. An example of some of the anchors the group came up with were family, friends, love, hope, peace, music, sport, good food, caring helping, creativity and reading. To make their message to go even further, they directly involved young people in their project with information sessions where they taught them the importance of keeping healthy and well in one’ s life.

Smoke is no Joke

Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge Co. Kildare

ECO-UNESCO Club

Senior

This group thought it would be a good idea to take environmental action against smoking. Their project aimed to raise awareness about the dangerous effects that smoking has on the human body as well as the environment around us. The group looked at how smokers affect nonsmokers.Theyraisedawarenessbymakingposterswhichtheyplacedaround the school and handed surveys out to classes from first to fifth year. From the start, they aimed to learn and teach other people about the dangerous impacts of smoking. They wanted young people to see that smoking has no benefits for anyone or the environment and they were motivated to raise awareness of the negative consequences that smoking causes.

Paws for a moment

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Youthreach Carlow, Co. Carlow

Senior

The environmental issue of “Dog fouling” in Carlow Town was the motivation for this group to take part in the Young Environmentalist Awards 2015. They took action by highlighting the harmful effects and impacts that dog-fouling can have. They researched information on the effects of dog fouling and they also created a survey. The group talked to people in their locality on the findings from their survey. To raise awareness they chose to speak to young people to make them aware of this issue, and they also hope to also have articles published in the local newspapers to highlight their action project amongst their community.

Make safety the way you run your day

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St. John Bosco’s Community College, Cahiracon, Kildysart, Co. Clare Senior

This project aims to raise awareness on the very important issue of farm safety. The young people decided to take part in the YEA because they think every human life is important and it is hard to imagine the pain, hurt and devastation that has affected farming families due to accidents on farms. The group raised funds to print post cards with critical phone numbers on them, including emergency services and local doctors. The young people have helped to raise awareness about the importance of safety at all times while working on a farm. They had an article printed in their local newsletter, they designed posters for their school and they also uploaded information about their project to the school website.

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Super Junior Beautiful bugs and butterflies

St Ibars National School, Bunclody, Co. Wexford This group, focused on biodiversity for their project with the message that, “Our world is full of life and we must protect and cherish our world, our environment and all the creatures that live in it. We can give a helping hand, creating butterfly feeders, and bug hotels that support and nourish the bugs and bees that keep our ecosystem going.” They raised awareness through a song, a video and a website. The team think that, improving biodiversity is a huge step for every bug and bee. This is a message that all of the team members are passionate about and they hope that through their project others will become more aware of the importance of pollinators to our environment.

Ballymote Wildlife Wanderers Project Ballymote Community Library, Co. Sligo

This group looked at their relationship with the wildlife around the team’s community and they came up with a plan on how best to protect it. They began asking the community directly what they thought through a questionnaire, that helped to learn about the wildlife in the town. They made an informative video which they showed to the whole town at a special premiere in which local environmentalist Michael Bell was invited to give a talk and spoke about the types of wildlife they have in their community. They encouraged people to appreciate the environment and the wildlife around them. To raise awareness, they made an interactive information stand and positioned it in the front window of their local library.

Can Solar Power (as a source of clean fuel) be used to power a vehicle?

Alexandra College Junior School, Milltown, Dublin

This group’s interest in cars, their history and design led them to create an action project to design a concept vehicle that was more environmentally friendly.

This group made several tests and experiments and looked at the potential of solar power to replace conventional car engines with the use of solar panels.

In the course of their investigation they examined the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of cars and through different tests and experiments they also assessed if solar powered cars would be a greener and cleaner option for drivers. To raise awareness about their project, they talked to their parents, friends and used social media to highlight how important it is to try to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars to protect our environment!

Kids and the Beanstalk

SWICN Computer Clubhouse, Dublin The young people in the group decided to show this through the example of building a greenhouse using recycled plastic bottles and growing vegetables within it. These vegetables would also be used in a healthy eating programme.

They built the greenhouse with hundreds of recycled plastic bottles they got from family and friends. To raise awareness about their project, they printed posters and made different visits to spread their message. Their project was a total success, as they were offered a space at the local community allotment!

This team hope that other young people will follow their lead and improve the environment through recycling and creating healthy green spaces.

Operation cooperation

The Little Monsters, Tallaght, Dublin The Little Monsters group wanted to enhance the estate of Jobstown in Tallaght.

The focus of the action project was to clean-up the unsightly and dangerous rubbish left behind by fly flipping and fires. They also painted over illegal graffiti and created a colourful 60ft long garden themed mural. In addition they planted over 300 bulbs, shrubs, and plants that not only look good but will benefit the birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. To raise awareness they had an article printed in the local newspapers, they printed posters and put these up in their community.

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Gold Funders The Department of Children and Youth Affairs focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people’s participation, research on children and young people, youth work and cross-cutting initiatives for children.

The National Development Plan (NDP) invests billions of funds to improve Ireland’s economic and social infrastructure, foster balanced regional development, promote social inclusion and sustain national economic and employment growth.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government promotes sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life in Ireland through protection of the environment and heritage, infrastructure provision, balanced regional development and good local government.

Silver Funders

Environmental Protection Agency, protecting the Irish environment through licensing, enforcement and monitoring activities.

Bronze Sponsors

ECO-Den Sponsors Monaghan County Council Craigavon Borough Council Galway County Council Mayo County Council Clare County Council

Cork County Council Westmeath County Council Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Limerick City Council

Kildare County Council Longford County Council Louth County Council Fingal County Council

Prize Sponsors & Other Supporters Other Sponsors: IEN (Biodiversity Zone) Department of An Taoiseach (Europe & Me Zone, Communicating Europe Initiative)

Venue Sponsors: Dublin City Council (The Round Room) Lord Mayor of Dublin (Oak Room) Cork City Council (The Lifetime Lab) Craigavon Borough Council (Lough Neagh Discovery Centre)

Prize Sponsors: Powerscourt Gardens Irish Peatland Conservation Whale Watch West Cork Will and Away Dingle Ocean World Blooming Amazing Flowers Delta Force Paintballing Movies@Dundrum Patagonia National SEA LIFE Bray

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Acknowledgements ECO-UNESCO would like to thank all of the participants, teachers and youth leaders who took part in this year’s ECOUNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards, We would also like to thank our volunteers and those involved in promoting and supporting our work over the last year including:

ECO-UNESCO Board, Staff & Interns Board: Mark Bennett (Chairperson), Liz Carroll (Treasurer), Anne Marie Kilshaw (Secretary), Jamie Cudden, Karen Furlong and Thomas McGovern

Staff: Elaine Nevin (National Director), Feidhlim Ó Seasnáin, Tom Dermody, Niamh Hand, Dunchadh Kinane, Roberta Bellini, Jenna Cains, Carlos Perez, Laura Cahill, Anthony Burrowes, Louise Gallagher.

Interns: Cornelia Tuite, Rory Sweeney, Jonathan Da Silva, Ji Hyun Kim, Isabelle Ledermann, Ynés Langgartner, Lothaire Kaiser, Lisiane Asnouni, Alessandra Cinti, Barbara Frick and all of our interns who have helped throughout the year.

Volunteers: Monika Mentel, Carrie O’Brien, David Hughes, Andrei De Castro, Breda Fitzpatrick, Ciara Conboy-Fischer, Eva Greene, Michele Morasutti, ECO-UNESCO Peer Educators, ECO-UNESCO Green Teens and all of our volunteers who have helped throughout the year.

Special thanks to: ECO-Den Judging Panel: Elaine Nevin (ECO-UNESCO Director) Nial O’Connor (Monaghan County Council);Liz Wallace (WELB Curriculum & Advisory Support Services); Feidhlim Ó Seasnáin (ECO-UNESCO); Kevin Ryan (Cork City Council); Mary Stack (Cork County Council); Sinead McDonnell (Limerick City Council); Sharon Cameron (Mayo County Council); Paul Moroney (Clare County Council); Louise Ryan (Galway & Roscommon ETB); Dean Eaton (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council); Gary Brady (Longford County Council); Karen Mahon (Alupro Ireland);Fiona Nally (Concern); Dara Wyer (Kildare County Council); Annmaire Kelly (Laois County Council); Edwina Dunford (Fingal County Council); Leona Donaghy( Antrim Borough Council);Brian Healy (CDYSB); David Richardson (Cookstwon District Council); Jen Murphy (Trocáire);(Mary Cunningham (National Youth Council of Ireland Director); Niamh Hatchell (Environmental Protection Agency); Brian Healy (CDYSB).

Showcase Expert Judging Panel: Dara Wyer (Kildare County Council), Dean Eaton (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council), Edwina Dunford (Fingal County Council), Brain Healy (CDYSB), Gary Brady (Longford County Council), Jen Murphy (Trocáire), Cathal Comey (Dept of Environment Community and Local Government), Tim Duggan (Managing Director, Enrich), Michael Doorly (Concern), Frank McDonald (The Irish Times), Tony Gaynor (Dept. of Education), Vivenne Parry (Unicef), Karen Mahon (Director Alupro, Ireland), Michael Kennedy (Irish Aid), Aoife Rush (NCCA), Justin Byrne (Irish Environmental Network), Niamh Hatchell (Environmental Protection Agency), Duncan Stewart (Director, GreenMe) Ceremony Award Presenters: Sean Sherlock TD Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs; Professor Patrick McKeever, Chief of Section, Earth Sciences and Geohazard Risk Reduction and Secretary of the IGCP for UNESCO; Ms. Elaine Nevin (National Director, ECO-UNESCO Clubs Ireland); Mr. Mark Bennett (Chairperson, ECO-UNESCO Clubs Ireland); Karen Mahon (Director Alupro, Ireland); Justin Byrne (Irish Environmental Network); Niamh Hatchell (Environmental Protection Agency); Duncan Stewart(Director, GreenMe); Tony Gaynor (Dept. of Education) Ceremony Award Presenters: Professor Patrick Mc Keever (Chief of Section, Earth Sciences and Geohazard Risk Reduction and Secretary of the IGCP for UNESCO) and the Lord Mayor Christy Burke; Elaine Nevin (Director, ECO-UNESCO), Karen Mahon (Director, Alupro Ireland), Mark Bennett (Chairperson, ECOUNESCO).

Entertainment: Aidan Power (RTÉ Presenter) Others Supporters: Michael D. Higgins (President of Ireland), Professor Patrick Mc Keever, Chief of Section, Earth Sciences and Geohazard Risk Reduction and Secretary of the IGCP for UNESCO and the Lord Mayor Christy Burke.

The Young Environmentalist Awards are organised by ECOUNESCO, Ireland’s Environmental Education and Youth Organisation. For further information please contact:

ECO-UNESCO Tel: Fax: Email: Web:

+353 (0)1 662 5491 +353 (0)1 662 5493 info@ecounesco.ie www.ecounesco.ie

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ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015

Map to Venue Round Room adjacent to the Mansion House, Dawson St., Dublin 2, Ireland

Marks the spot!

Accessibility: The Round Room is wheelchair accessible – please feel free to contact us if you require any specific arrangements

Or just scan this QR-Code to have the map directly on your smart phone.

Code of Conduct The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2014 is being held once again in the prestigious Round Room and the Oak Room of the Mansion House, Dublin. We would like your group to gain as much from the experience as possible and for this, full cooperation and good behaviour will be expected from group members at all times. Please make note of the following rules, regulations and procedures and contact us if you have any queries or require any assistance. We look forward to a highly enjoyable event.

Project Displays • The Round Room will be open for set up at 8.30am – all displays must be completed by 9.30am sharp • Display materials are to be prepared in advance adhering to strict criteria (see details attached) • NB: You MAY NOT attached anything to the walls by any means; tape, blue tack, drawing pins, etc • Selected projects will form a public showcase at ECO-UNESCO’s Dublin headquarters (the Greenhouse) and at the European Commission’s European Public Space after the awards, for this purpose, all projects are to be left in the Round Room after the event • NOTE: DISPLAYS CANNOT BE RETURNED TO GROUPS Showcase • 2 team members must be present at displays at all times • Group representatives must be prepared to talk to visitors & judges about their project. All displays will be visited by judges during the showcase Lunch • Each group is responsible for organising their own lunch between 1.15pm – 2.15pm • The Mansion House will not permit participants to eat in the venue. The Mansion House is in close proximity to Stephens Green and Grafton Street, which can be used as a possible

lunch alternative. The only food permitted in the venue will be light refreshments provided by ECO-UNESCO. Award Ceremony • All group members must return to the venue before 2.15pm and be seated by 2.25pm • All group members must stay in the Round Room until Ceremony closes.

• An individual representative from each award-winning group may be asked to say a few words about their experience during the awards ceremony (ca. 1 minute only). We would advise that you prepare for this in advance and nominate a suitable representative from your group.

• ECO-UNESCO reserves the right to eliminate and/or combine categories where there is a low number of entries or where entries are deemed not to have reached the required standard. In this situation, there may not be an award made in each category. A number of high commendations may also be made General Terms & Conditions • All participating Group Members must commit to attending the entire event (8.30am – 5.30pm) • Leaders and Teachers are responsible for the conduct of their individual groups • A Refuse & Recycling Zone will be present and must be utilised to by all participants • Neither ECO-UNESCO nor the Venue take responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged goods during the event • As per the details signed in your original YEA Registration Form, please be reminded that images and/or video footage may be utilised by ECO-UNESCO for promotional usage in print and online publications; educational resources; publicity; advertising; web content; and other ECO-UNESCO media.

ECO-UNESCO may use these images/video clips with or without names

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Register for ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards 2016!

For more information contact: Tel: +353 (0) 1 662 5491 Fax: +353 (0) 1 662 5493 Email: yea@ecounesco.ie Web: www.ecounesco.ie

Join us online for latest news, photos, videos and more!

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Support our work... become a member... make a difference!

ECO-UNESCO Tel: +353 (0) 1 662 5491 Fax: +353 (01) 1 6625493 Email: info@ecounesco.ie Web: www.ecounesco.ie

Join us online for the latest news, photos, videos and more!

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2015 is supported by: Gold Funders:

Silver Funder:

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Bronze Sponsors:

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