Mayo school win Trócaire Game Changers competition

YOUNG people from Achill Island were the top winners at the 2022 Trócaire Game Changers competition.

Pupils from Achill Sound national school won first prize with their innovative, interactive boardgame ‘Roll and Catch', which aims to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 10-pupil school's game was inspired by the Achill coastline.

Pupil Cara O’Malley (12) explained: “We have lots of beaches where we live so we wanted to do something to protect them. For all we know by 2029 there will be no icecaps left. We had a great laugh making the game and learned a lot too.”

Teacher Pauline Gallagher said: “We have a school of creative children, and I knew Trócaire’s Game Changers competition would suit them. It has been hugely beneficial to the students and the programme covers a lot of the curriculum from art, science and geography.”

Trócaire Game Changers is an annual competition run by Trocaire’s development education team, who help students learn about the issues facing people in developing countries through workshops in schools through the country.

The programme invited students to create a development education game that focuses on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students from across Ireland played and judged the games of fellow finalists at the event, exploring issues such as gender equality and climate change.

Some 212 games were entered into the competition with 28 shortlisted from each of the three categories - primary, post-primary, or youth - for the final showcase. The games are a mix of board games, digital games and some traditional games like Twister and ring toss.

Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said: “The Game Changers programme provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore the SDGs, get creative, and raise awareness of global justice issues as well as providing students with an opportunity to learn from one another.”