Mayo teens encouraged to share their B!G Ideas

Teachers of Leaving Cert Applied and transition students as well as Youthreach and community training centre facilitators can now register their classes for the multi-award winning, free creative thinking skills programme The B!G Idea.

A unique initiative, The B!G Idea complements Ireland’s education system by offering diverse and creative learning experiences that engage every student’s unique way of thinking.

Through inquiry-based learning and real-world collaborative projects, guided by mentors from various business and industry sectors, The B!G Idea bridges the gap between education, industry and society, equipping students with skills they need to reach their full potential and thrive in life and work.

TY coordinator Sinéad Ní Fhathaigh from Meánscoil San Nioclás, An Rinn, Waterford, who has taken part in the programme since 2022, said: “I loved teaching it, I loved the support I got, and I loved the energy in the classroom when we were working on it.”

Student Sophie Maher (age 16) from Borris Vocational School, Co. Carlow, commented: “The B!G Idea programme has made me more interested and aware of the issues that surround me. I feel like the programme has made me and my friends realise what we can do to make changes in our world. It has shown us that what we do can make a difference even if it’s in a small way.

“I have learned a new approach to solving problems and I definitely feel more confident in the ideas I create. I know what I have learnt in the programme will help me throughout life and my future career.”

The B!G Idea tasks students, working in teams, to develop solutions to challenges within five different themes: climate change, mental health, cost of living, AI for humanity and diversity, and inclusion, each linked to one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Siobhan Blaney, head of education, The B!G Idea, explained: “Teachers are supported every step of the way. All resources are digitally formatted and the programme can be delivered through one or two workshops per week.

“The adaptable format can be used for either a 40-minute class or a one-hour class, with teacher prompts and lesson plans included. With built-in formative assessment and additional class materials, it is flexible and involves minimal teacher involvement.”

Siobhan added: “Our online mentoring platform allows us to match student teams with our national and international network of industry professional experts or ‘mentors’ who share their knowledge and expertise directly with students, supporting them in their project development. Students can ask questions or seek advice on next steps while mentors share techniques, skills or resources to explore, all safely delivered through the teacher dashboard on our platform.”

Developed by educational and industry experts, students gain transferable skills to support them in tackling the biggest problems they might face – in work or everyday life. The B!G Idea is endorsed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

Thanks to support from key industry partners including Mercury Engineering, Autodesk, Linesight, RIAI, Mastercard Nostra, Amdocs, Zendesk, Big Motive, UCC and MTU, the programme is completely free for schools and students.

Every class receives a free Think B!G class pack, which includes all the materials students need to engage in the programme; a LEGO pack for systems thinking exercises; a sketch book to capture brainstorming and reflection; and all the stationery needed to participate in lessons and activities, levelling the playing field for every student taking part. Additionally, each tutor receives a teaching pack to support in-class activities.

Teachers can register their class or group of students online at https://teachers.thebigidea.ie until June 15 next.