’s

Environmental Protection Through Youth Action

Environmental Protection

ECO-UNESCOIreland’s Environmental Education and Youth Organisation

ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations

www.ecounesco.ie

Shor t l i s ted Projects

ECO

-UNESCO’s

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

ContentsAcknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................3

Welcome .......................................................................................................................................................4

About ECO-UNESCO ...................................................................................................................................5

About ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards .........................................................................5

Shortlisted Project Summaries

Biodiversity ..........................................................................................................................11-13

Climate Change ..................................................................................................................... 14

ECO-Art & Design ................................................................................................................... 15

ECO-Community Development ......................................................................................16-18

ECO-Enterprise ........................................................................................................................19

Energy .......................................................................................................................................20

Transport ...................................................................................................................................21

Waste ...................................................................................................................................22-23

Water .........................................................................................................................................24

ECO-Health and Wellbeing ....................................................................................................25

Super Junior ........................................................................................................................26-29

ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards Funders & Sponsors ................................................ 30

Message from Michael D. HigginsPresident of Ireland

AcknowledgementsECO-UNESCO would like to thank all the participants, teachers and youth leaders who took part in this year’s ECO-UNE-SCO Young Environmentalist Awards. We would like to thank our volunteers and those involved in promoting and support-ing our work over the last year including:

Gold Funders, Silver Funders & Bronze Sponsors Gold Funders: The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, The Department of Children and Youth Affairs Silver Funder: Environmental Protection AgencyBronze Sponsors: Cork County Council/WasteMatchers, Dublin City Council, Alupro Ireland

ECO-UNESCO Board, Staff & InternsBoard: Mark Bennett (Chairperson), Liz Carroll (Treasurer), Anne Marie Kilshaw (Secretary), Peter ByrneStaff: Elaine Nevin (National Director), Laura Cahill, Niamh Hand, Dunchadh Kinane, Ann Kinsella, Eithne Laird, Nora Ide McAuliffe, Megan Noah , Lucy O’ Neill, Sarah Jane Tenei, Paddy WrightInterns Stan Zamyatin, Nicola Marzari, Thomas Engel, Carmen Costin, Helen Phelan, Franziska Weisortel, Chiara Zandegiacomo Bonel, Ciara Dean, Ester Batlle Genís, Mario Melo, Emilia Ciaracia, Camille Niang and all of our volunteers and interns who have helped throughout the year

VolunteersMercedes Brandstätter, Natalia Sanchez, Ana Eliza Bezerra, Daniel Murray, Cliodhna Denny, Rob Nelson, Claire Kilfeather, Roberta Bellini, Carla Marina Soriano, Camila Mello, Kristian Slavov, Inga Sprince, Cristine Cutajar, Leona Darker, Carla Hal-ligan, ECO-UNESCO Peer Educators, ECO-UNESCO Green Team.

Special thanks toJudging Panel: Elaine Nevin (ECO-UNESCO Director) Mary Cunningham (National Youth Council Ireland Director); Eilish O’Boyle (Cork City Council); Roisin Dylan (Waste Matchers); Ann Sullivan (Waterford County Council); Sinead McDonnell (Limerick City Council); Nial O’Connor (Monaghan County Council); Leo Strawbridge (Derry City Council); Danielle McCormick (Antrim Bor-ough Council); Joan Shine (SELB); Sinead Ní Mhainnin (Galway City Council); Joan Tarmey (Clare County Council); Louise Ryan (Galway Youth Officer); Dean Eaton (Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council); Peter Brady (Meath County Council); Niamh Hatchell (Environmental Protection Agency); Ann Bonner (Westmeath County Council); Moira Byrne (Wicklow County Council); Bernadette Maloney (Kilkenny County Council); Karen Mahon (Alupro Ireland)

Judges & Award Presenters: Mark Bennett (ECO-UNESCO Chairperson); Mary Cunningham (National Youth Council of Ireland Director); Ray Cullinane (Environmental Protection Agency); Kevin Forde (Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Gov-ernment); Marian Parker (Roscommon County Council); Dean Eaton(Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council); Karen Mahon (Alupro Ireland); Sorcha O’Brien (South Dublin County Council); Tim Duggan (Enrich); Michael O’Leary (Transition Year Support Service); Nial O’Connor (Monaghan County Council); Barry Tapster (Larne Borough Council); Joan Shine (SELB); Louise Ryan (Gal-way Youth Officer); Moira Byrne (Wicklow County Council); Bernadette Maloney (Kilkenny County Council); Mark Nolan (Green Careers Ireland); Paddy Hennelly (National Youth Council of Ireland)

Award Presenters: Irish Aid, Catherine Costello (Waste Matchers); Conor O’Raghaillaigh (National Parks and Wildlife Service)

ECO-Den Sponsors: Limerick County Council, Limerick City Council, Kerry County Council, Meath County Council, Roscommon County Council, Cork City Council, Craigavon Borough Council

Venue Sponsors: Dublin City Council (The Round Room), Claregalway Hotel, Cork City Council and The Lifetime Lab, Craigavon Borough Council’s Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Prize Sponsors: Delphi Adventure Centre, Delta Force Frontier Paintballing, Rainforest Adventure Golf, Purchase.ie, Gate Multiplex Cork, Fairtrade Ireland

Entertainment: Stephen Byrne (RTÉ Presenter), JJ Jupiter, Capoeira Ireland

Other Supporters: Michael D. Higgins (President of Ireland), Councillor Clare Byrne (Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin), Andy Griggs, Mervyn Horgan

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

ECO-UNESCO, The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2

Tel: +353 (0)1 662 5491Fax: +353 (0)1 662 5493Email: info@ecounesco.ieWeb: www.ecounesco.ie

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About ECO-UNESCO

Founded in 1986, ECO-UNESCO is Ireland’s environmental education and youth organisation. ECO-UNESCO has extensive experience in the devel-opment of environmental education programmes for young people in schools, youth groups and community groups. ECO-UNESCO is affiliated to the World Federa-tion of UNESCO clubs, centres and associations (WFU-CA).

ECO-UNESCO’s aims are to:

• Raise awareness, understanding and knowledge of our environment among young people;

• Promote the protection and conservation of our en-vironment among young people;

• Promote the personal development of young peo-ple 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 environ-mental events and activities, environmental workshops, ECO-UNESCO Clubs, ECO-Youth Choices and Youth for Sustainable Development including Peer Education Pro-grammes.

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, FETAC accredited courses (Introduction to Sustainable Development - FETAC L5 and ECO-Community Development Course - FETAC L3).

Education Resources

ECO-UNESCO produces environmental education re-sources including publications, CD-ROMs and posters suitable for primary and secondary school teachers, youth groups, community groups and individuals.

Consultancy

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

The Young Environmentalist Awards Programme:

ECO-UNESCO developed and has run the Young Envi-ronmentalist Awards programme since 1999. About the Young Environmentalist Awards

The Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-Ireland envi-ronmental awards programme for young people aged 10-18. Since 1999, ECO-UNESCO has run this programme to honour the work of young people to protect, con-serve and enhance the environment through local en-vironmental 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 ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards Gala Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Dublin.

The programme is a fun and exciting way to empow-er 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

Welcome to Ireland’s Biggest Celebration of Youth ECO-Action!

Welcome to ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and Ceremony 2013! This is Ireland’s biggest celebration of young people taking environmental action and congratulations to all of you on your hard work throughout the year.

We are extremely impressed by all the young environmentalists participating in this year’s awards pro-gramme. 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 fourteenth year of the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards. Since the beginning of the programme in 1999, 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 encouraging others to do the same.

The Young Environmentalist Awards recognises and rewards the work of young people all across the island Ireland. This year, there were more than 310 entries from over 4,500 passionate and talented young people from every county on the island of Ireland. 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 the final Showcase and Awards Ceremony.

We are delighted to have expanded our annual showcase and this year we have 70 shortlisted projects on display at the 2013 Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase; this is a testament to the hard work, time and effort put into the projects by all the groups involved.

We hope you have a fantastic showcase and awards ceremony. Be sure to continue the good 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 BennettChairpersonECO-UNESCO

Elaine NevinNational DirectorECO-UNESCO

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Young Environmentalist Awards 2012 Participants

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Biodiversity Page 11-13

Junior

Project Title: Enhanced Characteristics of the Native Dark HoneybeeYoung People: Dominique Ní Mhathúna, Oisín Ó MathúnaFrom: Meánscoil San Nicolas, An Rinn, Co. Waterford Leader: Collette Ní Nuanáin

Project Title: The Possible Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified CropsYoung People: Kate Mulcahy, Aine Mulcahy, Emma Spillane From: Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Co. Cork Leader: Aine McCarthy

Project Title: Seed Harvesting MethodsYoung People: Zoe McGirr, Megan DuffyFrom: Oakgrove Integrated College, Stradreagh, Co. DerryLeader: Christine Gilmore

Senior

Project Title: Conservation of the Amur LeopardYoung People: Hannah Byrne, Aoife Corcoran, Emily Griffin, Hannah Keartland, Aimme Rose Keenan, Zara Khan, Eleanor Nyhan, Catherine O’Dwyer, Kate O’Dwyer, Laoise O’Dwyer, Aisling Stokes, Aisling Owens, Yvonne WalshFrom: Loreto College, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin Leader: Ann-Marie Purcell

Project Title: Feed MeYoung People: Aishling O’Rourke, Nicole Stewart, Siobhan Harkins, Fiona WallFrom: St Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Co. RoscommonLeader: Marie Geraghty

Project Title: Flutterby Butterfly Young People: Rachel Murphy, Aoife O’Connell, Laura Maunsell, Emma Moynihan, Nicole Leahy Chun, Cliona Leane, Louise Magowan, Lucy Kelly, Jade Pope, Katie CarollFrom: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. KerryLeader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: #LFN (#LoveForNature)Young People: Aishling Collier, Ann Sexton, Heather Beasley, Kellie Malone, Marcela Makrovikova, Sarah Callagher, Sehrish KhanFrom: ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group #LFN (Love For Nature) Leader: Laura Cahill

Project Title: Secret Life of BeesYoung People: Elaine McLoughlin, Audrey Harney-Nolan From: St. Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Co. Roscommon Leader: Marie Geraghty

Project Title: Naturehood Watch Young People: Murrough Connoly, Shane Monahan, Christoper Ahern, Darragh CostelloFrom: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. KerryLeader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: The Wildlife HavenYoung People: Niamh O’Carroll, Bryanna Thornton, Roisín McGuigan, Helen Cunningham, Katie Thornton, Orla Reilly, Megan Clarke ReillyFrom: Our Lady’s College Drogheda, Co. Louth Leader: Clara Ní Dhonabhán

Project Title: Bug Hotels Young People: Robbie Thompson, Conor Dunphy, Adam Leahy, Glenn O’ Donovan, Callan DempseyFrom: St. Aidan’s Community College, Dublin Hill, Co. Cork Leader: Sinead Flanagan

Project Title: Creepy Crawley’s Hotel Young People: Marcus O’Brian, Mark O’Connor, Lucas CroninFrom: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Leader: Shane Kissane

Climate Change Page 14

Junior

Project Title: Has the Sea an Affect on the Turloughs of North Clare? Young People: Myra McNamara, Eimear ThynneFrom: Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. ClareLeader: John Sims

Senior

Project Title: Communergy Young People: Eoghan Quigley, Amanda Dempsey, Chloe Dunne, Aaron Boland, Oliver Peake, Jennifer Dooley, Matthew Cummins, Colm Strong, Niamh Allen, James GriffinFrom: Mountmellick Community School, Co. LaoisLeader: Mairead O’Connor

Project Title: Investigating the Variation of Foodstuff Fed to Livestock in Order to Reduce Methane Emissions Young People: Christopher Gainley, Adrian Rowland, Ciaran McManamonFrom: St. Gerald’s College Castlebar, Co. MayoLeader: Keiran Hall

Project Title: Stop Animation; Love the TreesYoung People: Jing Li, Alia Luddy, Eoin Byrne, Alacque White, Robert CosgraveFrom: ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group Tenacious TreesLeader: Laura Cahill

ECO-Art & Design Page 15

Junior

Project Title: Reducing Waste With Great TasteYoung People: Erin Hughes, Emma Valente, Niamh McLaugh-lin, Niamh Brady, Brianna Campbell, Lorna McFall, Jade Had-dick, Gina McBurney, Rachael SherlockFrom: St. Dominic’s Grammar School, Belfast, Co. Antrim Leader: Jenny Fell

Project Title: Crocodile DundalkYoung People: Kerrie-Lee Mc Dermott, Ciara Murray, Oshea Lawlor Bashford, Cailin Hoey, Chloe Mc Keown, Emily Magu-ire, Alyshia Jackson, Shauna MartinFrom: O’Fiaich College, Dundalk, Co Louth Leader: John Horan, Siobhán Sheerin

Senior

Project Title: STOMPYoung People: Leah Cullen, Catey Clarkson, Anna Heis-terkamp, Katie Mullen, Brian ReynoldsFrom: St. Kilian’s German School, Clonskeagh, Co. Dublin Leader: Sarah Kavanagh

Project Title: Melting MomentsYoung People: Roisin Finan, Narule Stewart, Devon MullallyFrom: Meán Scoil Muire Gan Smál, Roscommon Town, Co. RoscommonLeader: Frances Kilcommins

ECO-Community Development Page 16-18

Junior

Project Title: Community Table and BenchYoung People: Robert White, Martin O’Connor, Kieran Neville, Darragh Doyle, Edwin Cahill, Michael Kenneally, Rory Doyle, Tommy Brennan, Josh Price, Jody Dwyer, David KedneyFrom: Hugginstown Youth Group, Co. KilkennyLeader: Teresa Walsh

Project Title: Greener TogetherYoung People: Ross Hennessy, Darren Brennan, Megan Sher-lock, Jordon Keogh, Louise McGrath, Shane McGrath, Stan-ley Cooling, Ryan Mooney, Lisa McGrath, Millie HonerFrom: Sayswacc, Whitefriars, Aungier St., Dublin Leader: Brigid Ruane, Aisling O Connor, Brendan Dowling

Senior

Project Title: Urban Wildlife GardenYoung People: Glenn Fitzpatrick, Aaron Fallon, Dylan Byrne, Jonathon Ho, Zara Donohoe, Melissa Kitching, Clare Purvis, Moira Purvis, Louis LowryFrom: GAP Youth Environmental Network (YEN), Ballymun, Dublin Leader: Deidre Walsh

Project Title: Wheeling in the YearsYoung People: Eric Conroy, Barry Dunne, Dylan Dunne, Denis Joyce, Martin Cawley, Ryan Dunican, Niall Keenan, Charlie Ward, Leon Doherty, Evan TaylorFrom: Clara Youthreach, Kilcoursey, Clara, Co. OffalyLeader: Joe Derring

Project Title: Skerries Allotments Young People: Cathal Dowd Smith, Patricia Ferguson, Ju-lia Gormely, Tara O’FlahertyFrom: Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin Leader: Tom McDonald

Project Title: Our Ecological Study of KilkennyYoung People: Joe Neill, Darragh O’Byrne, David O’Gorman, Liam JameisonFrom: CBS Kilkenny, James St., Co. Kilkenny Leader: Ger Morrissey

Project Title: Our Park, Our EnvironmentYoung People: Laura Daly, Emma Johnston, Kellie Ann Cornally, Darragh Healy, Sinead Holloway, Damien Car-roll, Thomas Pettit, Sadhbh Mandal, Kate Bracken, David Fox, Fergal Hynds, Arianne Dunne, Leanne Claffey, Ci-ara Cullinane, Rachel Maguire, Megan O’Brien, Kealan Foley, Amber Hennessy, Mark FallonFrom: Moate Community College, Moate, Co. Westmeath Leader: Margaret Mandal

Project Title: Adopt a TreeYoung People: Iseult Daly, Aoife Garvey, Grace Egan, Seija Nevalainen, Clodagh Fitzgerald, Clodagh Carr, Le-onie O’ Connor, Emma McCarthy, Maeve LyonsFrom: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. KerryLeader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: Growing TogetherYoung People: Emma Irwin, Stephanie Staunton, Sinead Dowling, Min Pan, Megan Kelly, Kirstin O HeneFrom: St. Joseph‘s Secondary School, Stanhope St, DublinLeader: John O’Brien

Project Title: Rooting for our FutureYoung People: Laura Caroll, Eleanor O’Grady, Laoise McElligot, Ciara O’Sullivan, Darragh McGarty, Marcos PrendevilleFrom: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. KerryLeader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: Making a DifferenceYoung People: Sean Egan, Jennifer O’Donoghue, Lor-can Holden, Matthew Shortall, Eimear Ryan, Rhiannon Curtis - Davis, Amy Ryan, Ailbhe Twomey, Fiona Patter-son, Conor O’Keffee, Liam Dinan, Conor BradshawFrom: Portmarnock Community School, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin Leader: Niall Fitzgerald

ECO-Enterprise Page 19

Junior

Project Title: The Water SentinelYoung People: Grace Long, Ellen Durkin, Theresa DurkinFrom: Avondale Community College, Rathdrum, Co. WicklowLeader: Michelle Finnegen

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Project Title: Buy a Bulb Grow A Smile Young People: Caitlin Ryan, Maura Tierney, Emma Burke, Melissa Anderson, Sarah Keleghan, Mary O’ Connell, Choice Aigbe, Sarah FahyFrom: Meán Scoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co Galway Leader: Jackie Dockery

Project Title: From Mould to Gold Young People: Joshua Alhassan, Ceejay Alvarico, Morgan Berry, Conor Bracken, Colm Byrne, Jordan Campbell, Barry Carr, Luke Carroll, Mattheo Clucas, Garreth Collins, Gerard Curran, Gary Doonan, Alex Flynn, Jonathan Gaskin, Patrick Horan, Cillian Kelly, Kevin Kelly, Thomas Killeen, Dylan Lacey, Conor May, Lorcan McGovern, Karl Murphy, Emmet O’Reilly, Adam Phipps, Kenny ColdrickFrom: St Brendan’s College, Bray, Co. Wicklow Leader: Susanne Hand

Project Title: Nesting Boxes Young People: Stacey O’Leary, Daniel O’Leary, Adam McCann, Shane Loughran, Scott O’ Leary, Lee Comiskey, Travis McCann, Grany O’Leary, Diarmaid Mc Court, Nathan Cawley, David Murray From: Youthreach Monaghan, Knockaconny, Co. Monaghan Leader: Colm McArdle, Kathlena Slowey

Energy Page 20

Junior

Project Title: Saving EnergyYoung People: Nichola Cadden, Caoimhe BoyceFrom: Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath Leader: Leo Murphy

Senior

Project Title: Save Today, Survive TomorrowYoung People: Heather Coleman, Chloe Collins, Tara Curtin, Bronagh Daly, Yvonne Doyle, Chloe Flynn, Katie Glavin, Casey Hynes, Niamh O Brien, Niamh Palmer, Sarah Palmer, Gemma Price, Kate Toland, Anna Toland, Sarah Walsh, Ailbhe WheltonFrom: Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork Leader: Deirdre Maher

Project Title: All Waves Better ValueYoung People: Niall Buckley, Kelly BrosnanFrom: Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Leader: Shane Kissane

Project Title: Generation GreenYoung People: Mary Claire Hanafin, Shauna O’Flynn, Emma Kerwick, Jennifer Mullally, Caroline O’Connor, Lydia O’Toole, Siobhán Barnaville, Laura Jane Stapleton, Alicia HoweFrom: Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Leader: Olivia O’Brien

Project Title: Grasstonbury Young People: Aisling Mullen, Aisling Harnett, Ciera Tiernan, Stephen Hayden, Bona Mae Patlong, Daniel Stairs, Jennifer McNamaraFrom: ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group New Waves Leader: Laura Cahill

Transport Page 21

Junior

Project Title: More Walking, Less DrivingYoung People: Aidan McMahon, Clodagh Sulley, Patrick Finucane, Noel Haren, Kevin O’Looney, Gaynor Brennan, Noelle Crowe, Darren Curtin, Claire Davoren, Curtis Sherlock, Eoin Frawley, Luke Howley, Anthony Lacey, Emma Lucas, Oisin Leyden, Cathal Malone, Sean Meehan, Corey O’Connor, Anna O’Regan, Dylan Ryan Phelan, Stephen Roche, David Shannon, James VaughanFrom: Ennistymon Vocational School, Co. Clare Leader: Gabrielle Fahy

Senior

Project Title: Bicycle Use and Safety Young People: Róisín Dick, Niamh O’Hare, Michaela Murphy, Leah Shipley From: St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Co. MonaghanLeader: Michael Halton

Project Title: Pedal PowerYoung People: Laura Connolly, Alan Morrison, Ste-phen Curley, Arthur Beardshall, Kira Connolly, Kristina O’Dowd, Alice Gillard, Celine Gallagher, Mary FoodyFrom: Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo Leader: Helena Ryder

Waste Page 22-23

Junior

Project Title: PlashouseYoung People: Dean Shaughnessy, Culum O’Malley, Caoimhe Varley, Anita Murphy, Conor Crisp, Stephen Maughan, Gary Hopkins, Daniel GibbonsFrom: Ballinrobe Community School, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Leader: Michelle Reddin

Project Title: Don’t be Trashy, RecycleYoung People: Wilson Victor , Mollie Jackson, Kara Judge, Nikita McCann, Tomasz Prokop, Ellen TomanFrom: Drumcree College, Craigavon, Co. Armagh Leader: Áine Cumiskey, Bridget McCabe

Senior

Project Title: From the City to the Sea, Keep Galway Litter Free Young People: Choice Aigbe, Melissa Anderson, Emma Burke, Aisling Carrick, Chloe Corbett, Sarah Fahy, Kris-tiana Hristeva, Sarah Keleghan, Izabela Komoniewska, Katie McDonagh, Vanessa Murray, Dominika Nawroka,

Mary O’Connell, Shauna O’ Hara, Kyley O’ Kane, Martyna Przygodzka, Caitlin Ryan, Maura TierneyFrom: Meán Scoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co. GalwayLeader: Michelle Mc Donagh

Project Title: Youth Top Gardeners (YTG)Young People: Leigh Brady, Joseph Cleary, Emmet Farrell, Mariana Gabor, Mary Hastings, Lola Hourihane, Neri Kale-mi, Niamh Kelly, Tal Landy, Ciara Lucas, Thomas Maguire, Shaun McDonnell, Emma McGrail, Tanya McLoughlin, Pat-rick Morgan, Isabelle Cleary Moylan, Rachel Naughton, Conn O’Cleirigh, Shauna O’Leary, Conor O’Tode, Claudia Russell Kathryn Tolster, Emily Wallcer, Craig Winterlich, Aoife WylieFrom: ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group YTGLeader: Laura Cahill, Megan Noah

Project Title: Hands OnYoung People: Holly Whiriskey, Elaine Treacy, Meadhbh Ryan, Sophie PowerFrom: St. Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea, Co.Galway Leader: Ann Taylor

Project Title: Zero LandfillYoung People: Adam Montgomery Watson, Lauren Browne, Ryan Surgeoner, Aimmee Jones, Eugene Burns, Hannah McGuicken, William Telford, Ben Luney, Sophie Love, Ra-chel Lockyear, Natalia Tesmar, Matthew Johnston, Tyler Mc-Dowell, Ivan Buick, Laura DuffinFrom: Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus, Co. AntrimLeader: Sandra Patterson

Project Title: Keep Mercy Clean and Green/Recycled Greener Fashion Young People: Shannon Ahearne, Robyn Cole, Chloe Hogan, Nicole Fulton, Laura Phelan, Lisa Browne, Shauna O’ Callaghan, Amber Mitchel, Jade Fullard, Barbara Kelly-Clarke, Andrea Doyle, Lauren Cowap, Niamh Hyland, Emma Moran, Aoife Fairbrother, Shannon Byrne, Shauna Marshall, Sophie Smith, Nicole Byrne, Rachel Cronin, Courtney Adams, Grace Ashe, Rebecca McGrath, Kayleigh Tully-Knott, Nichelle Gabie, Rebecca Ellis, Clarisse Harcourt, Chelsea Graham, Amy O’Donoghue, Ashley O’ Dowd, Nichole O’ Dwyer, Paige Ivers-Murtagh, Shannon Gaughran, Gemma Derby, Aoife Redmond, Laura Dignam, Leah Forbes, Ciara Radford, Rebecca Doyle, Jadeen Lynch, Kelly Doran, Michelle Finlay, Emma Mulligan, Chloe Byrne, Jade Boyd, Courtney Sommers, Michelle KiernanFrom: Mercy College, Coolock, DublinLeader: Mary Scully, Brema Coffey, Siobhán Cassidy

Water Page 24

Junior

Project Title: Harvesting Rainwater in North Clare Young People: Eala Mardel, Rebecca O’CallaghanFrom: Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. ClareLeader: John Sims

Project Title: Water WarriorsYoung People: Second Year Students from Coláiste Pobail SetantaFrom: Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee, DublinLeader: Lis Pringle

Senior

Project Title: Every Drop CountsYoung People: Stephen Callanan, Allen Keane, Jason Keane, David MaherFrom: St. Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea, Co. Galway Leader: Ann Taylor

ECO Health and Wellbeing Page 25-26

Junior

Project Title: ECO Revolution Young People: Paul O’Rourke, Callum Henderson, Ryan Wade, Orla Hazard, Sophie McKena, Shan Matthew, Patrick Dalton, David McGee, Patrick Leonard, Alex Synes, Eoin Hughes, Caleb Montgomery, Niamh Stone, Emma Smyth, Gerard HegarthyFrom: Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s College, Knock, Belfast, Co. Antrim Leader: Roisin Collins

Senior

Project Title: The Importance of Growing Your Own GardenYoung People: Nicola Browne, Sarah Byrne Browne, Grainne O’Neill, Megan O’Connor, Hannah Cummins, Nadine BrillFrom: St. Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Leader: Marie Geraghty

Project Title: It’s Your Choice, It’s Your Life Young People: Adam Kane, Oliver Hughes, Jason Nolan, Robert Ralph, David McCabeFrom: ECO-UNESCO ECO-Youth Choices X-Hale Leader: Laura Cahill

Project Title: Ecook Book Young People: Sophie Barron, Caoilfhionn Burke, Paige Donnelly, Sophie Doyle, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, Tola Fleming, Megan Jones, Saifa Kajuni, Liadh Keogh, Ellen McMahon, Saoirse McNally, Nicola McShane, Sarah Meenan, Natalia Messa Sheehan, Juliette Reidy, Carla Roses Colas, Afric Ryan, Marina Sampayo CortesFrom: The Teresian School, Donnybrook, Dublin Leader: Terry Glass

Project Title: The GardenYoung People: Paddy Slattery, Gregory Lotter, David O’Connell, Simon Downes, Adrien Hayes, Peter Howard, James Glasson, Sidney Eackret, Kimberley Keitel, Emma McDonald, Orla Cooney, Amanda Gleeson, Steven Cheatley, Clodagh Ryan, Kate O’Brien, Claudia Hayes, Maeve Higgins, Elisa Gonzalez-Blaya, Ana Falguera, Alan Sheahan, Conor Barnes, James Corcoran, David Cardy, Mahammed Dagari, Jack Moloney, Nell Stritch, Adam DonaldsonFrom: Villiers Secondary School, Co. Limerick Leader: Anita Mahon

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Shortlisted Project Summaries Biodiversity

Enhanced Characteristics of the Native Dark HoneybeeMeánscoil San Nicolas, An Rinn, Co. Waterford Junior

‘If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left.’ This group discovered that bees are disappear-ing globally and scientists and beekeepers world-wide continue to seek the cause. The group focused their research on the varroa mite and discovered that the parasite is one the largest threats to the honeybee population. In the past and present, these mites have been controlled by hard and soft chemical or natural treatments. Increasing attention is being given to identify honeybee behavioural traits that can control the varroa mite. The aim of this project was to look at one of these traits in the Irish dark honeybee or ‘black bee’. The Wa-terford students wanted to identify the causes of declining population with the aim of taking action against these causes. The group have submitted reports to the Irish Federation of Beekeepers and have now been invited to report in their national newsletter on the issue.

Seed Harvesting MethodsOakgrove Integrated College, Stradreagh, Co. Derry Junior

Researching techniques in order to successfully re-plant and re-grow fruit and vegetables was the key aim of this project. The group began by test-ing various methods to remove seeds from fruits and vegetables in order to discover the optimum growing method. They wanted to successfully germi-nate the seeds (melons, peppers, tomatoes and corn kernels) following the seed saving. Their hope is that farmers can use their techniques in order to save money. The group is interested in training/educating small local farm-ers to be able to save seeds and replant them, rather than having to spend money buying the seeds. The project achieved its goals which were; suc-cessful extraction of a variety of seeds and the re-growth of the tomato, pepper, melon seeds and pop-corn kernels. They hope that farmers in de-veloping countries will be able to use these methods for financial benefit in the years to come.

The Possible Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified CropsLoreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Co. Cork Junior

Genetically Modified (GM) crops and potatoes is a topic on which a lot of research is being conducted, but this group felt the majority of people do not have sufficient information about it. After carrying out 500 surveys and analys-ing their results, it became clear that very few people know about GM foods and their possible affects. The group interviewed Darina Allen, a TV personality and renowned chef who is strongly against GM; and John O’ Mahony who has seen GM crops growing in America and is a strong supporter of them. Wanting to increase their fellow students’ knowledge of GM crops, this group delivered an easy to understand PowerPoint presentation on the issue to first, second and third year classes. The main goal of the project was to get public percep-tions and opinions on GM crops and to then use this information to plug gaps in public awareness of this issue.

Conservation of the Amur LeopardLoreto College, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin Senior

There are only 35 Amur leopards in the wild today. Due to the deforestation of their habitat and illegal poaching, this beautiful animal is nearly extinct. This group knew they wanted to tackle the issue of animal conservation and raise awareness about this issue. To do this, they created a PowerPoint pres-entation about the Amur Leopard and presented it to all the CSPE classes in their school. They also developed a video game about the Amur Leopard being hunted by poachers and made it available to their peers in an effort to further raise awareness about the near extinction of the species. Finally, the group held a cake sale to raise funds for WWF, who campaign for the protection of the Amur Leopards and other endangered species.

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

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Project Title: CycologicalYoung People: John Vincent Pandac, Chloe Joe Curran, Paulina Skudlarska, Kornelia Dulik, Rahul B. Mathew, Adam CorcoranFrom: St. Joseph’s School, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Leader: Michelle Cahalane

Project Title: How Healthy Is Your Lunch?Young People: Alex Hosey Nolan, Garrett O’Connor, James Breen, Ruairí Carton, Jack Ring, Adam Hew-son, Emma Murphy, Tara Clarke, Leah Murphy, James Mahon, John Joe Murphy, Eamon Corrigan, Molly Ring, Nicole Hewson, Hermione Murphy, Emma Tully, Amy CorriganFrom: St. Ibars National School, Clohamon, Co. WexfordLeader: Aisling Cooney-Whitty

Project Title: Where Have All The Daddy Long Legs Gone?Young People: Kim Clarke, Caoimhe Doody, Maeve Carolan, Emma Campbell, Aoife Farnham, Aoife Bourke, Anna Burke, Emma Byrne, Eva Byrne, Emma Crumlish, Eva Collum, Sarah Browne, Alex Dunne, Alex Devine, Amy Coughlan, Karishma Courtenay, Isabelle Bryans, Aoibhe Cunningham, Ciara Claffey, Grainne Brennan, Ita Corcoran, Lauren Callaly, Megan Doherty, Zoe Duff, Mia Doyle, Mia Finnegan, Roisin Finnegan, Grainne PerrymanFrom: Belgrove Senior Girls National School, Clontarf, Co. DublinLeader: Katie O’Neill, Jo Garry

Project Title: Planet PalsYoung People: Alicia Premkumar, Meadhbh Broderick, Daniela Besleaga, Caragh O’TooleFrom: Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Ard Aitinn, Co. CarlowLeader: Mary Hourihane

Project Title: Our Future 2020Young People: Ellie Carson, Ruby Mackay, Roise Joyce, Hayley Grogan-Leneghan, Robyn Duffin Lyons, Erin O’ Connor, Robyn Lyons, Ava Elders, Isabel Scully, Caoimhe Keogh, Katie Moran, Bella Osan, Molly Kavanagh, Tara Dempsey, Sive Cusack, Lara Reid, Joanna Kleiner, Michelle Rapliza, Mia Mooney, Alex Vaughan, Bruno Fitzgerald, Adam Whitten, John Drew, Evan Smith, Cian McManus, Ciaran Kavanagh, Tommy Houlihan, James Byrne, Sean Fitzpatrick, Daniel Hicks, Rory Nolan, Vinu Joshy, Roy Byrne, Alex Brady, Dylan Flaherty, Max MorrisonFrom: St. Brigid’s National School , Greystones, Co. WicklowLeader: Regina O’Malley

Project Title: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, RecycleYoung People: Mr. O’Connell’s Class, Mr. Goggin’s Class, Ms. McEnerney’s ClassFrom: Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa, Whitechurch, Co. Cork Leader: Mary O’Mahony

Project Title: ECO MentalYoung People: Julia Miguel, Sophie Fitzpatrick, Chloe Fitzpatrick, Harvey Killeen, Jamie Devlin, Joswel Bautista, Abby Byrne, Kerrie Dunne, Adam Van Eekeren, Lauren Mc ElroyFrom: Our Lady Queen of Apostles National School, Clondalkin, Co. DublinLeader: Paula Galvin

Project Title: Butt Out: What Affect Does Tobacco Have On Living Things? Young People: Alice Ryan, Torija Skietniece, Ellen O’DonnellFrom: St. Thomas the Apostle National School, Rosegreen, Cashel, Co. TipperaryLeader: Maura Molony

Project Title: Cheap and Efficient Domestic LightingYoung People: Vilte Dubickaite, James Franklin, Shane McCarthy, Leah Browne, Lauren Houlihan, Liam Moloney, Thomas White, Ike Sidney, Daniel Ayodeji, Christina Oluwadare, Klevis CenaliaFrom: Moyderwell Primary School, Co. KerryLeader: Linda O’Driscoll

Project Title: Save the BeesYoung People: Calum Stevenson, Caolan Mc Cann, Danny McAlinden, Matthew Close, Callum Dynes, Maria Donnelly, Cliodhna O’ Neill, Sarah Corr, Elise Smyth, Oisin Mc Aliskey, Georgia Mc Stravick, Lucy Maginn, Catherine Mc Mahon, Callum Mc Gibbon, Jude Donnelly, Charlie Mc Cullagh, Shea Donnel-ly, Megan Farren, Leo Shanks, Daniel O’ Neill, Halle Grimes, Olivia Dynes, Josh Mc Keag, Adam Lennon, Luke LennonFrom: St Mary’s Primary School, Lurgan, Co. ArmaghLeader: Terry McCullaugh

Project Title: Christmas LeftoversYoung People: Ava Daly Marah, Jacob Jones, Dean McCarthy, Jonathan Hackett, Tia McGrath, Leah Kelleher, Kacey CotterFrom: Scoil Naomh Therese, Bishopstown, Co. CorkLeader: Anette Power

Project Title: Save Energy, Save Our PlanetYoung People: Alvin Mc Elwaine, Rebekah Greer, Kerri Dickson, Kyle Hill, Christan Riley, Jason Nicholl, Nathan Creane, Annabel Armstrong, Jane Hill, Sophie Kinghan, Matthew Reyburn, Kyle Dickson, Jason Dickson, Leah Harrison, David Hill, Louisa Armstrong, James Wilson, Richard Mc Elwaine, Alan HillFrom: The Central School, Castleblaney, Co. MonaghanLeader: Iris Kirkland

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Feed Me St. Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Co. Roscommon Senior

Interested in local birds, their habitat and feeding patterns, this group had an obvious topic for their project! When they first started, winter was ap-proaching and so they began their action project by researching bird feeders. They discovered that the local bird population relied on bird feed-ers during the winter months and so they set about creating feeders made from recycled materials they found at home. They also set up a recycling collection point in their school canteen to help gather the necessary ma-terials. A prototype was developed and the group then facilitated a first year art class, informed them about their project aims and made recycled bird feeders with them. The finished products were then hung around the school and its vegetable garden. This project had two aims: 1) To stop birds picking at crops the students planted during the year, and 2) To feed the birds during the long cold winter when food was scarce!

Flutterby Butterfly Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Senior

Promoting, protecting and preserving endangered butterflies in Ireland was this group’s main aim. They began by carrying out a skills survey with-in the group in order to identify people’s suitability for the various roles. They then set up social networking pages and researched their topic in detail. Their first action was to raise money and create awareness within their school by selling Christmas decorations. They sold original, hand-crafted, butterfly shaped decorations and raised €131.50. They also held a bake sale making butterfly themed cupcakes and raised even more money! To date, Flutterby Butterfly has raised over €400 in aid of butterfly charities and farms around Ireland. They have also raised awareness of biodiversity and the role of butterflies within the environment.

#LFN (#LoveForNature) Biodiversity Fun DayECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group Senior

A biodiversity workshop and a fun day to teach local 6th class students about biodiversity and it’s importance to their local area was the main focus of #LFN’s project. The group researched and created workshop activities such as the nature name game, wildlife bowl, web of life, showed a video on biodiversity, made a shoe garden and even devel-oped a park quiz! The group also planned and held a biodiversity fun day in their local park. In the morning, various groups cleared waste and debris from a section of the park filling three trolleys full of rubbish! When the 6th class group arrived, they participated in activities such as the rabbit and fox race, giant Jenga, face painting, flower graffiti and creating bird feeders from recycled materials!

Secret Life of BeesSt. Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Co. Roscommon Senior

This group’s motto is; ‘No one could make a bigger mistake than he who did nothing, because he could only do a little.’ This team choose bees as their topic when they became aware of the declining bee population and their vital role in the eco-system. The main aim of the project was to highlight the importance of bees in the environment and to successfully raise awareness about the decline in bee popula-tion. The project looked at the inner-workings of beehives, honey man-ufacturing, fun bee facts and a lot more besides! They hope that their project will give people of all ages a new perspective on bee culture, its importance and raise public awareness of the necessity of protect-ing bees, their habitats and in turn, the environment.

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

Naturehood Watch Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Senior

This group became aware of how important biodiversity is and discovered that without it; the human race would be extinct. Through an environmental action workshop the group researched biodiversity and its role in our world. They also examined how biodiversity is a necessity, the serious effects of having low biodiversity levels and, how to enhance them. They carried out a biodiversity survey not just in their own school but in other local schools also. Naturehood Watch looked at flowers, grass, plants, worms, insects, soils, trees, ponds, gardens etc in each school. They are currently in the process of sending emails to all the schools in Tralee informing them how to improve the biodiversity levels within their schools. They cre-ated a website (www.naturehoodwatch.com) and a Facebook page (Naturehood Watch).

The Wildlife Haven Our Lady’s College, Drogheda, Co. Louth Senior

This group set up wildlife havens around their school grounds for squirrels, birds and insects. They made recycled feeders out of milk cartoons for the birds and used their TY mini-company profits to buy food. They then used shallow plant pots for bird baths and put these up, along with the feed-ers, in a secluded part of the school so that their bird haven wouldn’t be disturbed. A survey was carried out on what types of feathered friends visited their feeders and baths and they discovered goldfinches, coal tits, robins, wood pigeons and dunnocks, to name just a few! Spotting some dead wood that was about to be thrown out, the group involved some first years in the project and helped them set up insect piles. In the process they discovered beetles, woodlice, worms, snails and spiders all nesting/living in the wood piles! They also planted a variety of wild flowers to at-tract bees and butterflies in summertime!

Bug Hotels St Aidan’s Community College, Ballincolly, Co. Cork Senior

This group decided to create four ‘bug boxes’ and ran a class competi-tion to create the best one! Each group worked as part of a team and then the whole class took part in creating something new from something old! They researched projects on the website www.wastematchers.com to discover the kind of goods people generally try to get rid of and then came up with the idea of making ‘Bug Boxes’ and ‘Insect Inns’ out of these materials! Items that they used to create their hotels included old carpet, roof tiles, wood leftovers from the woodwork classroom, old paint from the art cupboard, clothes from ‘lost and found’, used Christmas trees, pine cones, leaves and twigs!

Creepy Crawley’s HotelMercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Senior

Raising awareness of biodiversity amongst a younger generation, this group worked with a local primary school, informed them about biodi-versity and facilitated them to set up their very own insect hotels in their school grounds. The hotel is designed to create a habitat for many differ-ent insects and bugs to live in. It is made out of refuse and natural materi-als found around the local area so the project had an added bonus of helping to clean up the surrounding environment. The group hope that the new habitat will provide a safe place for insects to thrive and a place for local children to learn more about the importance of insects, as well as raising awareness about the environment! The hotel is placed in the pri-mary’s school garden which should bring many welcome creepy crawley creatures to the area!

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

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Climate ChangeHas the Sea an Affect on the Turloughs of North Clare?Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare Junior

Turloughs are very common in the Burren. This group discovered that there was a turlough near Bellharbour in Clare which is believed to be affected by the sea as it is in such close proximity to it. The group decided to research three turloughs, two in Bellharbour and one in Kilfenora. Kilfenora was used as they deemed it far enough from the sea not to be influenced by it. The group wanted to make people aware that turloughs can be affected by tides. If sea level rises as predicted due to global warming, then turloughs will be affected and thus their flora and fauna will also be disturbed. Their findings? The sea did have an effect on the turloughs close to it and the height of the tide affected the height of the water in the turloughs. This could mean that if sea level con-tinues to rise, turloughs will be greatly affected.

CommunergyMountmellick Community School, Mountmellick, Co. Laois Senior

Promoting the conservation of water and energy in their local com-munity and informing people how they could successful conserve was Communergy’s main goal. The group travelled to Brussels to attend the ‘Qa-tari-Brussels’ event which was based around the climate change talks being held in Doha, Qatar. They also organised a ‘Water and Energy Saving’ exhibi-tion which coincided with the school’s open evening. The exhibition included a fashion show, a launch of their book, some games, stands for businesses like Supervalu, LEAF, METAC, MEG and exhibits showing ionised water, weaving baskets and information on Communergy’s trip to Brussels. One of the big-gest parts of their campaign was running several conservation workshops in primary and secondary schools, and a third level college in Dublin.

Investigating the Variation of Foodstuff Fed to Livestock in Order to Reduce Methane Emissions St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Senior

Viewing climate change as one of the most serious environmental problems facing the world, this Mayo group decided to tackle the issue head on. They wanted to raise awareness of climate change amongst their local commu-nity, and in particular, farmers. They found that the contribution of the agricul-tural sector to greenhouse gas emissions (particularly methane) is profound, and a reduction in this sector alone would greatly benefit Ireland’s environ-mental status. Their objective was to find a foodstuff that effectively reduces methane emissions from livestock. From their results they concluded that a combination of hay and silage is best as it reduces methane by 22% com-pared to the cow’s normal diet. Application of their result to Ireland’s agricul-tural sector could reduce a cow’s yearly methane level by over 40,000 litres! The group spread awareness of their project and results through a blog, their school open night and contact with the local community. They now hope to highlight their results to their local government authority.

Tenacious Trees-Love the TreesECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group Senior

Tenacious Trees created a short animation to raise awareness of the impor-tance of trees worldwide, the impact of deforestation and how this impacts on global warming. The group planned their project over a number of months, compiling all of the information they wished to convey in their film. They ex-plored the environmental, social and economic causes and effects of defor-estation – focussing not only on the impact deforestation has on people, but also how it is a key factor in the extinction of many plants and animals due to the loss of habitats. The group explored many film options before settling on stop motion animation and taking part in a one day film training to build up their technical skills. The group, with the assistance of an editor, blended pho-tographs with their own voices and sound effects to create the final product!

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ECO-Art & Design

Reducing Waste With Great TasteSt. Dominic’s Grammar School, Belfast, Co. Antrim Junior

One of the biggest waste problems St. Dominic’s faced was the number of plas-tic bags that were thrown away at lunch time. They sought to come up with an initiative to show their fellow students that plastic bags could actually be used for something else. The idea of jewellery made out of plastic bags and other re-cycled materials was one that they loved, especially as they are all jewellery en-thusiasts! As a group, they undertook crocheting lessons with their school’s nee-dlework club and were soon producing prototypes of flower-adorned bracelets and hair bands from lengths of plastic bags. They also branched out into other materials to show how materials such as tin cans could be utilised in a fun way. They gave presentations to classes in their school to raise awareness and now plan to produce more prototypes and hold a stall to sell their recycled acces-sories. The group had an amazing time throughout this project, and learned a lot about their school’s waste and how to reduce it, as well as strengthening their friendships, teamwork and crocheting skills!

Crocodile Dundalk O’Fiaich College, Dundalk, Co. Louth Junior

This project entailed the design and construction of a large aluminium can sculp-ture made from recycled materials. The result was ‘Crocodile Dundalk’! When starting out, the group researched aluminium recycling and decided to work on a can sculpture as many of them have a huge interest in art. They also wanted to highlight the issue of recycling aluminium to their local community in a creative way. In order to undertake the project the group worked with different in-school and community groups. They contacted Louth County Council who helped them decide on an outside space where their ‘Crocodile Dundalk’ could be displayed. They then collected a lot of aluminium cans from their school, community and lo-cal businesses. The school’s Leaving Cert Applied woodwork class helped to con-struct the wooden structure to affix the cans on to. And now, Blackrock Tidy Towns will display the project beside the Bring Banks in Blackrock to highlight recycling issues in the area!

STOMPSt. Kilian’s German School, Clonskeagh, Dublin Senior This group wanted to stomp out the bad habits which harm the environment. They chose to do this project because they felt that some young children weren’t very interested in what goes on around them everyday and so they decided to edu-cate pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th class by making a fun, short film. The whole point of the project was to raise environmental awareness among children and to en-courage them to participate in taking action and making a positive difference in their local environment. The group achieved this by targeting the younger classes through media e.g. movies and music. The environmental themes highlighted in their movie were; littering, pollution and saving water and energy.

Melting Moments Meán Scoil Muire Gan Smál, Roscommon Town, Co. Roscommon Senior

Polar bears are beautiful animals that have roamed their native areas for thousands of years. However, ice in the polar region is melting at an alarming rate and warnings issued by the U.S. Geological Survey inform that two thirds of polar bears will disappear by 2050. This project set out to establish an enterprise which would yield much needed funding to support the hard work of “Polar Bear International” and raise awareness around the melting ice caps. They ran publicity campaigns in their school and community warning about the danger of global warming and its effects on the polar bears by using flyers and posters, composeing a song and by contacting key agencies. To raise funds they created and sold unique snowflake Christmas decorations using recycled aluminium cans and by painting old roof slates with polar scenes! Their sale slogan; ‘Buy a flake, so the bears won’t bake’!

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ECO-UNESCO Club

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Alupro Ireland

Alupro Ireland

Alupro Ireland

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ECO-Community Development

Community Table and Bench Hugginstown Youth Group, Kilkenny Junior

Wanting to give something back to their locality, this group decided to make a table and bench and present it to the community. They hope that this will encourage people to sit and chat with each other. The group was offered an oppor-tunity to work within a wood workers’ workshop and use tra-ditional sustainable tools to make their bench and table. This proved to be a brilliant opportunity to use waste wood and sustainable methods to create something positive for their local community. The project was successfully completed and the group are now going to present a beautiful oak ta-ble and bench to the people of their locality. Through this project the group has gained a much better understand of environmental issues as well as becoming more included in their local area.

Greener Together Sayswacc, Whitefriars, Aungier St., Dublin 2 Junior

This group worked with a lot of young people who live in flat complexes with no individual gardens and not much space for their rubbish. Therefore all of their waste went into one bin. Through various activity projects, the group taught local young people how important composting is and how the compost and nutrients help the fruit, veg-etables, herbs and flowers to grow. Sayswacc also made a wormery using recycled items from a skip and then de-signed an even bigger wormery which they hope to make from recycled construction items to encourage more composting from other areas in the community. Finally the group presented their project locally to highlight all the work they had carried out and the huge impact it has had on the community. Sayswacc also educated young peo-ple about recycling and how to use recycled materials for arts and crafts activities.

Urban Wildlife Garden SeniorGAP Youth Environmental Network (YEN), Ballymun, Co. Dublin

After engaging in discussions regarding the local environ-ment and potential environmental issues in Ballymun, the YEN decided they wanted to address the lack of wildlife habitats in the area. As YEN have been working in the Virgin Mary Community Garden in Ballymun since June 2012, they decided this was the perfect space to create and support wildlife habitats and to share the work they have carried out in the garden with their peers and members of the lo-cal community. They built a wildlife pond and planted na-tive water and marsh plants, installed bird boxes, built a bird feeder in the shape of a mobile home, built a willow fence and willow plant supports, sowed wildflower seeds and planted fruit trees! YEN raised awareness about the impor-tance of native wildlife habitats through their local media and by providing garden tours to local youth groups and schools.

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Wheeling in the YearsYouthreach Clara, Clara, Co. Offaly Senior

While working on a landscaping project within their youth club, this group approached a variety of local community groups as they wanted to get involved in helping to improve the area. Following this they were asked by Clara Tidy Towns and Clara Community and Family Resource Centre to help create a sculpture to highlight the importance of water and also help promote the history of the Clara community. The group researched aspects of Clara’s history and heritage for the project and after a lot of research and consultation with local residents, they designed and costed a plan for the area which included a water feature that uses rainwater collected from the roof of the adjacent building. They also included a solar powered pump to circulate the water and power night lighting for the feature. The design they decided on was a water mill wheel set in bog land which was decorated by seasonal flowers and plants!

Skerries Allotments Skerries Community College, Skerries, Co. Dublin Senior

This group were interested in local allotments in Skerries. They know that among the greatest benefits of maintaining an allotment are exercise, a healthy lifestyle from outdoor activities, good eating habits from consum-ing fresh fruit and vegetables and the reduction of one’s carbon footprint and food miles. The group met with the Skerries Allotment Association and organised to bring a work party of 30-40 Transition Year students to the allotments to help work in the communal areas and develop it further. They planted willow along the riverbank and sowed and propagated seedlings and plants in the communal polytunnel. Through their project the group highlighted the benefits of having an allotment and the impor-tance of instilling in young people a joy and knowledge of how to grow and produce their own food.

Our Ecological Study of KilkennyCBS Kilkenny, James St., Co. Kilkenny Senior

This group toured Kilkenny gathering information and taking pictures of wildlife and living creatures in the environs of the area. Once the group gathered their information, they then developed a website, www.ecop-loring.com to store and publicise all their information. The website aims to teach primary school students more about the native wildlife that sur-rounds them. The teachers of the local school loved the idea of the web-site and have begun to incorporate it into their curriculum. The Kilkenny group have already visited three primary schools in their area and are booked to visit even more in the future! Along with this, they are creating an app which provides the information stored on the website along with GPS driving instructions to the Castle Park and the Eco Park which are marked as ‘places of interest’ on their site.

Our Park, Our Environment Moate Community College, Moate, Co. Westmeath Senior

The aim of this project was to increase the awareness of the developing Midlands Amenity Park and its impact on the environment and commu-nity. The park contains a natural wildlife sanctuary supporting many endan-gered plant species such as the petty white flowered bag bean. The group carried out surveys to analyse people’s awareness of the park and its im-portance to the environment. They then designed a vibrant and attractive poster display which showed how the turlough wetlands area of the park provides unique features and supports a wide variety of plants and animals. The tourlough also has potential for supporting future species and thus high-lights the importance of protecting our wildlife for future generations. The group displayed their posters in Moate Library and also ran an environmen-tal quiz week with questions each day on environmental issues!

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Adopt a Tree Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Senior

Encouraging the growth, planting and preservation of Ireland’s native trees was this group’s main mission. Trees play a very important role in nature and the group noticed a lack of them in their community. Adopt a Tree hoped that through their project they could promote the impor-tance of trees in Tralee. They raised awareness about the issue in their school and tried to reach the wider world by use of social networks. They carried out tree research and came up with the idea of ‘adopting’ a tree, i.e. sponsoring a sapling which the group plants, and in return the sponsor receives an information pack including a thank you letter, brace-let and Certificate of Adoption. By doing this, the group advocated the planting of trees, calling attention to Ireland’s need for more and giving everyone a chance to do their bit to help the environment.

Growing Together SeniorSt. Joseph’s Secondary School, Stanhope St., Stoneybatter, Dublin

This project aimed to facilitate a community rejuvenation project in a resi-dential estate in Arbour Hill known as Bricin’s Park. The area contains both residential housing for elderly people and family council houses. The group felt the area was quite sterile and in need a makeover. They wanted to renew and grow relationships within Bricin’s Park and with the wider com-munity. Simple changes and additions that improved the area’s biodiver-sity were implemented and an outdoor space to be enjoyed by the whole community was created. ‘Growing Together’ is about fostering closer rela-tionships between the various members of the whole community to create a foundation for a better future. The group worked with the members of the community to enhance the beauty of the area and highlighted en-vironmental as well as social issues throughout their project. Their work has helped enrich the lives of all members of the Bricin’s Park community.

Rooting For Our Future Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Senior

Encouraging people to become more self-sufficient with their food is this group’s core aim. Through the project, they learned how important producing and buying local food is to the economy of the area. It brings employment, reduces carbon footprint and gives a better over-all quality of food. The group discovered that every meal has a certain number of food miles attached to it and the less the food has to travel, the more nutritious it will be. Rooting for our Future now have a much better knowledge of food sustainability and food miles and they have passed this information on to their peers by promoting and raising awareness around the areas of self-sufficient growing and food miles. The group found that ‘It is cheaper to buy your own seeds and grow your own vegetables and fruit in a patch of your garden than it is to go to the supermarket and buy fruit and vegetables that will only last you 3 or 4 days.’

Making a Difference Portmarnock Community School, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin Senior

This project is in year two of a five year commitment to two communities in Lesotho, Africa. The project works with a hospital community called St. Jo-seph’s Roma and a school community in Hlalele, Lesotho. The project en-gages young men and women in the area of global responsibility in order to inspire them to become role models for others in their community. The group also wanted to help them understand how actions and behaviours of people in developed countries, have a cause and effect that can im-pact on lives the other side of the world. The project is currently emphasis-ing food production, water harvesting and is building learning power and appreciation of culture and identity. Building learning power is key to this project as education and skills allow a self determination which is impor-tant for the dignity of the individual and the wider community.

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

ECO-UNESCO Club

Eco Enterprise

The Water Sentinel Avondale Community College, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow Junior

Focusing on water wastage in the home, this group researched and de-signed an affordable waste water monitoring alarm system called ‘The Wa-ter Sentinel’ which is designed to detect if a tap has been accidentally left on. It aims to: • Protect householders from unnecessary water charges• Reduce costs for County Councils in preparing treated water for domestic consumption • Benefit the environment by reducing the amount of water taken from riv-ers, lakes and underground sourcesThe water sentinel consists of two probes which are inserted into the S-Bend of a sink unit’s soil pipe. The probes are wired to an alarm box, which is affixed to an adjacent wall. The control box uses an analogue electronic timer circuit to operate an audible alarm which rings if the sensor probes detect water flow after a three minute period.

Buy a Bulb, Grow a SmileMeanscoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co. Galway Senior

As they are a city centre school with no green grounds, this group decided to tackle the issue of biodiversity with an emphasis on creating a roof top garden. As they had previously investigated the cause and effects of biodi-versity and its importance to cancer research, they also wanted to incorpo-rate the value of biodiversity into the project. The ‘Buy a Bulb, Grow a Smile’ campaign saw this group get local businesses on board to contribute daffodil bulbs which these Galway growers then sold to the students and staff in their school. They then planted, cultivated and harvested these daffodils on behalf of the buyers and donated both the flowers and money raised to the Irish Cancer Society for resale on Daffodil Day 2013. The group hope that their acts of planting, harvesting, donating and awareness raising gave as much please to their community as the whole process brought them!

From Mould to GoldSt. Brendan’s College, Bray, Co. Wicklow Senior

This project was designed to show that there are many natural resources available free of charge that communities and individuals can use to their advantage. The group researched ideas and decided that their beauti-ful school grounds would provide them with the perfect raw materials i.e. leaves. They decided to produce leaf mould and sell it as a fertiliser/com-post. For the project to be a success they had to research, harvest leaves, make bins, form commercial links with the local community and of course market their product! The group successfully produced high quality com-post which they marketed and sold within their school, local community and even in garden centres! In doing so, they have also highlighted how easy it is to interact with the environment!

Nesting BoxesYouthreach Monaghan, Knockaconny, Co. Monaghan Senior

Following a class discussion, the members of Youthreach Monaghan decided to construct a number of nesting boxes for Monaghan Town to attract wildlife to the area and enhance the appearance of some well known landmarks in the locality. Three different styles of nesting boxes were researched, designed and constructed for the project. They were then decorated and modified to suit the particular area in which they were located. The project took place over a period of 4 weeks, under the supervision and guidance of the group’s wood-work tutor. After meeting with Monaghan County Council, the group secured permission to erect the nesting boxes in the designated areas. The boxes have greatly added to the beauty of the natural environment and of course make a cosy home for feathered friends! This project had a very successful outcome and all the students felt a great sense of accomplishment on its completion.

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Energy

Saving Energy Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath Junior

This group began their project by determining their message, audi-ence and method of action. The aim of the project was to raise aware-ness on how to use energy more efficiently. The group discovered a high amount of energy being used unnecessarily and thus, money being wasted. They wrote a song to help get the energy saving mes-sage across to younger children in the area. The group also began an awareness raising campaign throughout their school including posters to illustrate when and where not to turn on lights and why everybody should be concerned with reducing energy consumption.

Pres Power: Save Today, Survive TomorrowPresentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork Senior

Raising awareness about energy conservation and investigating the energy efficiency of their school were the main aims of Pres Power. Following an interview with their principal they discovered that their school is not very well insulated. They addressed this issue by planning to use reflective radiator foil to help improve the school’s energy ef-ficiency. The group came up with a creative way of fundraising for this foil: ‘The Coin Race’; where each class was asked in bring in coins and create an energy related image from them. There was a prize for the best image and afterwards all the coins used went towards buy-ing the foil. The next major part of the project was to raise awareness. The group realised that they would need to make energy conserva-tion interesting and cool for people to encourage them to conserve energy. With that in mind, they decided to make an app which in-cludes games about energy and recycling, as well as tips on how to save energy!

All Waves Better Value Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Senior

Raising awareness of the unlimited untapped energy potential available to Ireland in the form of wave based hydro-electricity was the key focus of this project. The group wanted to raise awareness of the benefits of hydroelectricity on a local level so that people would have a greater understanding of the advantages and disadvan-tages of off shore oil wells (which could be environmentally dam-aging), versus hydroelectricity (which would be a cleaner source). Harnessing hydroelectricity would have tremendously successful consequences for Ireland both in the form of financial benefits and the protection of the environment. The group are promoting this message in their community to as many people as they can!

Generation Green – Cleaner, Greener Energy Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Senior

Hoping to inspire local businesses to be greener, Generation Green carried out case studies of businesses using alternative energies and outlined the savings made by these companies to businesses in their area. They hoped that this would motivate the companies to become more energy efficient. The group also held a number of green events such as: an energy awareness night where peo-ple could test drive an electric car, a ‘Reduce Energy Day’ with the motto of ‘Plug out and get out!’ where the whole school were encouraged to save energy in the gym by exercising outdoors! Finally they took part in an ad promoting e-cars in order to highlight the savings to be made to the pocket, and the environment. In all, the project inspired others to save energy while having fun!

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Grasstonbury - New Waves ECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group SeniorThe New Waves planned and held a festival style environmental awareness day in Father Collins Park, Dublin, Ireland’s only wholly sustainable park. The aim was to raise awareness and engage young people on the issue of trans-port and energy in their own lives. The park’s wind power turbines powered the performer’s PA equipment– highlighting that being environmentally con-scious is cool! The day included a number of activities including running a home-made pedal powered smoothie bike which in turn allowed festival goers to make their very own organic fruit smoothies! As the day coincided with International Nelson Mandela Day, the group incorporated the youth theme of “taking action and inspiring change” and created a Nelson Man-dela statue from recycled materials. The day was a great success and was attended by the South African Ambassador, his Excellency Ndou, staff from the embassy and 140 Dublin people.

Transport

More Walking, Less Driving Ennistymon Vocational School, Ennistymon, Co. Clare Junior

This group wanted to make the local town safer for the whole communi-ty and wanted more students to walk or cycle. They organised a petition, signed by the local community, to get a pedestrian crossing in the village. They then wrote to the local council with their petition and requested a pedestrian crossing to be developed in the centre of the town. Barry Keating and Councillor Michael Higgins replied to their letter and informed the group that Ennistymon have been allocated €30,000 for a pedestrian crossing in 2013. The group also held a bicycle fixing workshop to train people on repairs and held a demonstration on environmentally friendly cars such as the Nis-san Leaf and the Toyota Prius. They publicised and ran a Cycle and Walk to School Day in 2012 and will hold another later this year. The group also held an environmental workshop for the TY students where everyone explored various environmental issues.

Bicycle Use and Safety St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan Senior

This group decided to raise awareness about bicycle use and safety in their town. They visited local schools and presented a PowerPoint presentation about how to cycle safely, the benefits of cycling to the environment and the individual and how to cycle safely. They gathered information by asking local 6th class students about their opinion on the establishment of cycle paths in the town. This information is now being used to back up the local council’s attempt to receive funding for cycle paths. As a result of the project, the group were invited to be a part of a local government sub-committee supporting the establishment of cycle paths and other elements necessary for the movement, such as bicycle shelters. This committee could make an immense difference in their town providing a more environmentally friendly, efficient and healthy mode of transport with less traffic congestion at peak hours and less CO2 emissions from cars.

Pedal Power Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, Sligo Senior

Cycling is a hugely popular activity in Jesus and Mary Secondary School and they even have their own cycling club! They secured bike racks earlier this year having received a grant from Sligo County Council which the group spent a lot of time putting together a proposal for. They wanted to continue to raise people’s interest in cycling not only in school, but also in the local community. They held a bike awareness day and held a cake sale where all the confectionery was bike themed! They also ran a poster competition and these were displayed around the school and in local shops. Further aware-ness of their project was also raised through the local radio and an article published in the local paper on the benefits of cycling. In the future, the group plans to speak with the County Council about putting bicycle lanes in Enniscrone.

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Waste

Plashouse Ballinrobe Community School, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Junior

The aim of this project was to involve the school and local community in recycling plastic bottles. The group decided to build their own glasshouse from these bottles and then grow their own fruit and veg. To achieve this, they started a campaign within the school running poster campaigns and holding competitions such as spot prizes for students who put their bottles in the correct bin. The local national school and Tidy Towns committee also helped the group collect bottles and provided suggestions on how to build the glasshouse. The group have been busily growing plants and vegetables from seed within the school and they will now transfer these seedlings into the ‘Plashouse’. They will use some of the vegetables within their school, and will then sell some saplings and vegetables to the local community. The group were delighted to be able to produce something worthwhile from what was originally considered waste!

Don’t Be Trashy, Recycle Drumcree College, Craigavon, Co. Armagh Junior

Reducing waste within the school and local community whilst having fun was the main aim of this project. The group recycled paper and used some of it to make recycled paper logs. They then collected rain water to nourish plants and used biodegradable foods from the staff room to make compost for their eco-garden. To reduce waste in the community, the group asked all pupils to bring in recyclable goods from their homes such as old clothes, mobile phones, batteries, spectacles and bottle lids. The group wanted to help local and global organisations as part of their project. The mobile phones were donated to the MacMil-lan Cancer Society while the spectacles went to Vision Aid Africa. Their aim of the project was to teach people that although they may find it easy to throw everything into the bin, some items can have a second life or be recycled safely to help others and to protect our environment!

Keep Mercy Clean/Recycled Greener Fashion Mercy College, Coolock, Dublin Junior

Tackling the school’s litter and waste problem, this group decided to create a Green Committee. They began by getting extra bins, student ‘cleaners’, and involving the whole staff and student body in the project. Seeing only slow improvements, they decided to invite environmental speakers to give talks and help to inspire and inform their school and community. Following these visits, the Green Committee became more involved in green projects. They introduced environmental competitions and started presenting their information on notice boards, electronic boards, through the intercom and gave students the opportunity to help the group in their mission. As a result the school has reduced its waste significantly and increased its recycling of paper and plastic. The group used some of the waste material gathered to create ‘recycled green fashion’. They also created fashion items and displayed them within the school to show how recycled materials can be creatively employed to create fashion and art!

From the City to the Sea, Keep Galway Litter Free Meanscoil Mhuire, Newtownsmith, Co. Galway Senior

Brainstorming all the environmental issues in their local area, this group found that litter was a huge problem on the beaches in Galway city and one of the most immediate needs was for more anti-litter signage and bins. They designed a poster to highlight the issue and displayed their posters in the local aquatic centre, thus getting the local community on board. The group also visited a primary school and gave a presentation about their project, created a special environmental word search and informed the

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young students how they could reduce their everyday litter and the litter around Galway city beaches. The group plans on expanding their pro-ject throughout the year; continuing their campaign to get more little bins in the vicinity of the beach, to make existing bins more visible and acces-sible, and to increase the number of anti-litter posters on the beach.

YTG - Youth Top GardenersECO-UNESCO Peer Education Youth Group Senior

“If we can do it, you can do it” is the motto of the YTG whose pro-ject aims to raise awareness of the benefits of having a rooftop gar-den. The group wanted to show Dubliners how a rooftop garden can not only tackle food security, but also address the issues of climate change and reducing urban waste. To help encourage other organi-sations and individuals in Dublin to create their own roof top gardens, the group built their own garden in the city centre using mainly up-cy-cled materials. They received advice and assistance from several pro-fessional gardeners along the way. They also created a mural out of recycled materials to create awareness and educate people about rooftop gardens and all its potential benefits including food security, mitigating climate change, community building and reducing unem-ployment and waste. The rooftop garden was officially launched to the public in March 2013.

Hands On St. Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea, Co.Galway Senior

This group decided to tackle climate change and the issues of waste management in their school as they identified that waste contributes greatly to climate change. When the group started the project there was no recycling scheme in St. Brigid’s. They thought the best way to start off their project was to get environmental issues recognised and discussed within their school and so they decided to run an ECO-Club for first year students. Through peer education they taught the first years about cli-mate change, carried out an audit on the level of school waste over two days, placed four recycling bins around the school, created a webpage to raise further awareness of their project, organised a poster competition and created litter surveys and a video. They were so successful with their endeavours that they were even invited to present their project at the Loughrea Tidy Towns Open Night!

Zero Landfill Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim Senior

Though the school had increased its recycling, this group wanted to aim for ‘zero waste to landfill’ in Ulidia Integrated College. They began by measuring exactly what was recycled within their school. The group carried out a bin audit and arranged to empty a collection of three day’s waste and then categorise it. They then measured what was cur-rently being recycled and what could be done to increase the amount. They publicised the project throughout the school, raising awareness of waste issues throughout the project. They made presentations to other class groups to educate them about what to put in the bins and they also publicised many facts about waste to their fellow students. The pro-ject had a press launch in the school in January 2013 and was reported about in the local papers.

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Water

Harvesting Rainwater in North Clare JuniorMary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare

‘It doesn’t take a lot of time, effort or money to harvest rainwater and it rewards you, as you can have reduced water charges’ was the key message this group put across to their local community businesses, households and the general public following their re-search into rainwater harvesting. The group interviewed the owners of a local hotel and found they were very interested in the project. The hotel informed them that each year their water bill is approxi-mately €2,000. As they are a small establishment, a large propor-tion of this water is used for toilets. However, the group advised that this water could instead be replaced by harvested water. They also identified that the amount of money that normal households and commercial properties will have to pay with the new water charges could be very high. The group are now trying to show that this water saving scheme is a solution to reduce this cost, as well as minimising negative environmental impacts.

Water WarriorsColaiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee, Co. Dublin Junior

The basis for this group’s project was water conservation; students researched the effects our water usage has on the environment and the areas in which water is wasted. They then researched what measures could be taken to prevent this. In various groups, the students made movies on the different aspects of water waste that they felt strongly about. Using recycled materials, they made story boards, sets and characters and shot their movie through stop motion animation. It took over 300 photos to make each movie! Re-using materials the group also made accordion type books to document their research and ideas and to record the progress of their project. The movie premiered on March 7th and highlighted the importance of water conservation to the whole school and members of the local community. Everything used in their project was recycled or reused. All in all the students proved to be true Water Warriors!

Every Drop Counts St. Brigid’s Vocational School, Loughrea, Co. Galway Senior

This group raised awareness of fracking and water quality in their home-town and highlighted the importance of water as one of our most valuable resources. Every Drop Counts accomplished this by starting an awareness campaign in their school and testing wa-ter quality in Loughrea Lake. Their message: ‘Raise awareness of water pollution in our local area and explain what we can do to help raise awareness of the danger of fracking and how it affects the water quality, the possibility of it coming to Ireland and how it can affect us’. They also explored and examined the shortage of water in third world countries suffering from drought. Finally they designed and created a website http://everydropcounts.x10.mx/ and are continuing to highlight the need for conservation of water in their local area.

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Eco Health & WellbeingECO Revolution Our Lady’s and St. Patrick’s College, Knock, Belfast, Co. Antrim Junior

The Eco Revolution’s aim was to encourage the school community to grow their own food, provide an environment where biodiversity could flourish and where the school community could enjoy the great outdoors. The group researched how to plant, grow and harvest their own food. They grew herbs and vegetables in their raised beds and planted potatoes in their drills. They also set up a system to compost leftover food, started a wormery and planted a variety of plants to attract biodiversity into the area. They cleared their school pond and introduced pond plants and also built a ‘bug hotel’ to increase biodiversity levels. To raise awareness, they carried out an eco-friendly Christmas decoration competition and used their school magazine to highlight the work that they were doing. Following the success of the Christmas decoration competition, the group then designed and created edible eco-friendly decorations for the garden’s wildlife!

The Importance of Growing Your Own Garden St. Joseph’s College, Summerhill, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Senior

Getting your fingers green by growing your own vegetable garden and eating well was the basis for this project. The group researched informa-tion on how to grow a garden, the advantages and disadvantages of doing so and the benefits in terms of reducing food miles, producing more nutritious food and having a healthy diet. They then started their own garden and gained many skills by doing so. They in turn passed their knowledge and skills on to other groups encouraging them not only to grow their own garden but also increase their vegetable intake.

Xhale - It’s Your Choice, It’s Your Life ECO-UNESCO ECO-Youth Choices Senior

This group created a docudrama and forum with the aim of increasing young people’s awareness on the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. The docudrama entitled: ‘It’s Your Choice, it’s Your Life,’ uses a split screen and follows the life of a young person who decides they will smoke and the same person who decides not to, and the impact this decision has on their life. The group used a sustainable development lens to show not only the health im-pacts, but the broader environmental, social and economic implications of these decisions. They then ran a day long forum with over 50 young people and invited representatives from the Irish Cancer Society, a local HSE Health Promotion Officer on Tobacco and students from various local schools to attend. The group ran a number of exciting interactive displays, demonstra-tions, simulations and workshops throughout the day, further exploring the issue with the participants.

Ecook BookTeresian School, Donnybrook, Dublin Senior

Researching food waste, this group were astonished how much food is thrown away every day in the developed world when so many struggle with starvation in other countries. The group produced a recipe book that promotes healthy eating and helps reduce food and packaging waste at home. They decided that all the ingredients in their book were to be locally produced meaning less packaging and energy being wasted. Buying produce in season was also highlighted as hugely important as it is more readily available and food is eaten at its best. The group set up a restaurant in their school, using recipes from their own cookbook and visited businesses in their area asking permission to stock their book. By having the book available in local shops, they hope to raise awareness, not only in their school, but also in their local community.

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trip and peer group research. When they had gathered and ex-amined all their insect information, they then delivered a presenta-tion on the Daddy Long Legs to other pupils in their school. They liked the insect so much that they even designed and made their very own Daddy Long Legs for the classroom, so that there is al-ways one close by!

Planet Pals Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Carlow, Co. Carlow

A group of four girls who want to make a difference created Planet Pals. This is an environmental group in their school to ad-dress the hopes we all have for our future and provide a real understanding of how we can all make a difference. The group learns, informs and inspires others with their presentations, com-petitions and fun crafts activities. They have their own logo, pamphlets, posters and are in the process of setting up their own web page. They also distribute their own newsletter throughout the school and have even made environmental information books which are used by teachers in the classroom and are also available in the local library. They regularly invite guests to speak on environmental issues and have organised for two litter pick-ers to clean up any rubbish on the school grounds every day. Looks like the planet is in good hands with these pals!

Our Future 2020St. Brigid’s Natioanl School, Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Carrying out research and investigations into a variety of envi-ronmental issues was the key aim of this project. As the group had a large class they divided into six small groups and tackled issues such as: renewable energy, water usage, composting, re-ducing, re-using and recycling. They also carried out a survey on pupils’ knowledge of environmental issues, organised a commu-nity clean up and invited guest speakers to visit the school and inform students about renewable energy. Once the research and investigations were complete, a two-day presentation of all the students’ work was presented to the school. The presen-tation was both visual and interactive and engaged approxi-mately 500 students. Since completing the project the school has been in contact with other organisations such as Tidy Towns and are now planning on a sea shore clean up!

Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle Scoil Naisiúnta Padraig Naofa, Whitechurch, Co. Cork

A move to a new school and a change of uniform gave this group the innovative idea of recycling their old school uniforms and sending them onto a developing country. The group col-lected 200 uniforms and shipped them out to Belarus with a Chernobyl Children’s charity where children there are now giv-ing them a second life! However, the group didn’t just stop there. They then asked older people in their community to bring any old clothes, curtains, towels etc that they were no longer using to a collection point in the area. They then sold these clothes to a company for cash and raised €292 which was enough money to develop a classroom for school children in India! Learning more about that country, the group discovered that many fami-lies there make their own clothes but that buttons are hard to come by. And so now, in association with the Hope Foundation, they are sending unused buttons to families in Calcutta!

The Garden Villiers Secondary School, Co. Limerick Senior

The aim of this project was to enhance the school grounds by creating a garden with many elements: a space where students could go for quiet time or hold a prayer or memorial service, a vegetable garden where they could grow plants for experiments and an area to plant a small amount of cereals. Over the next few months the group prepared the ground and planted trees and bushes. To protect the garden from the outside world they included a hedge of beech trees. The group also reused old corporation compost bins and went on to create four planting beds, developed paths made from waste gravel left by con-tractors and made benches and seats from old waste wood. The also created insect nests from old guttering and bamboo blinds and used recycled metal tubing to make a tree water fountain, using energy from their wind generator to power the pump!

Super JuniorCycologicalSt. Joseph’s School, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

St. Joseph’s had a large number of parents driving their children to school which meant congestion and a lot of unwanted CO2 in the air around the school. This group wanted to encourage more pupils, their friends and families to cycle and leave the car at home. After conducting a survey on the distance and time taken to cycle from each child’s home, it was clear that many students, particularly those in the senior classes, could make more of an effort to cycle. Students who cycled received a reward each week and the class who had the most cyclists were praised at a school assembly and given the ‘golden bike’ for two weeks. The school reached a 10% increase in cyclists in most classes and students now feel a much greater responsibility towards protecting the environ-ment. Not only that, but they also really enjoy the weekly challenge of being the class with the most cyclists!

How Healthy is Your Lunch?St. Ibars National School, Clohamon, Co. Wexford

‘A healthy school lunch sets up good habits for life, it helps concentra-tion and gives the best opportunities in the day’ is this group’s motto. St. Ibars focused on raising awareness around the importance of having a healthy lunch, and thus having healthy people, in a healthy envi-ronment! The group found that younger students needed encourage-ment to eat well and so they designed specific lunchboxes that would be appealing to them and encourage them to fill their lunchbox with healthy food. Each lunchbox had separate compartments for various food groups with some containing hot and cold sections to keep food fresh and allow for warm soups and pastas to be added during the colder months. The project promoted using lunchboxes instead of the tinfoil and cling film that some students were using as they are better for the environment and can be reused for a long time. This group wanted to reduce and reuse while spreading the messages of eat lo-cal, eat in season and eat fresh!

Where Have All The Daddy Long Legs Gone?Belgrove Senior Girls School, Clontarf, Dublin

Examining the Daddy Long Legs (crane fly) in their local environment, this group investigated everything about the insect over five months. During this time they planned their project and examined a number of sources of information regarding the insect including an internet and library search, information requests from relevant organisations, a field

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Save the BeesSt Mary’s Primary School, Lurgan, Co. Armagh

Focusing on bees and their declining numbers, this group invited a local bee keeper to their school who explained the life cycle of the bee, how honey is produced and the wide range of plants that bee populations depend on. They also worked closely with the staff from Oxford Island Nature Reserve who focused on the life of local bees. Having learned about the important role of bees in the ecosystem and their declining numbers, the group have worked hard to improve the biodiversity of their school grounds and their gardens. They made bee boxes to provide nesting for winter bees, planted bulbs, created a herb wheel and now aim to plant a range of bee friendly shrubs in the near future. They have published their work by making posters, putting an article in the newspaper and distributing an information leaflet to parents. They are now keen to educate people about the need to pro-tect all the bees!

Christmas LeftoversScoil Naomh Therese, Bishopstown, Co. Cork

Collecting materials (at no cost) to create a sculpture highlight-ing environmental issues was a key aim of this group. They re-searched and promoted reducing waste, recycling and reusing at home, in the local community and in their school. The Christ-mas Leftovers group then created a sculpture from all the ma-terials gathered and they then presented their work of art to the adjoining special school with the aim of helping other pupils’ imaginations and creativity grow and develop. The project has achieved a positive growth of recycling within the school and an even better attitude to accompany it. As an added bonus, the children gained an opportunity to raise funds for a local hospice as a result of their project. True dedication was shown by the pu-pils throughout the entire project!

Save Energy, Save Our PlanetThe Central School, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan

This group examined their school’s energy bills to determine how much energy had been used in the past. They then identi-fied areas in the school where energy was saved and excess energy used. Posters were put up in the school and in their local Toyota garage reminding people to be energy efficient. They also set up a squad to monitor the amount of electricity and oil used in the school, created an energy song, conducted a sur-vey which identified measures that would reduce each family’s energy consumption and made key rings with energy saving tips on them. The pupils also decided to address the issue of food miles and how they affect the environment; and so they developed a fruit and vegetable garden at the school and a selection of home grown vegetables were given each family to encourage them to buy local!

ECO MentalOur Lady Queen of Apostles, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin

Going green every step of the way, this group decided to develop a greenhouse, not just to grow their own food which now includes garlic, pea shoots, carrots, beans and basil, but also to creatively recycle plastic bottles in their school and homes. ECO Mental’s green-house is built entirely out of plastic bottles while the plants are nourished by collected rainwater! The group also wanted to spread their environmental ethos to the whole school and so they also put up posters to show their fellow students how to reduce, reuse and recycle! ECO Mental had a great time making their greenhouse, learned a lot from the project and are really looking forward to reaping the rewards of their produce in time to come!

Butt Out; What Effect Does Tobacco Have on Living Things? St. Thomas the Apostle National School, Rosegreen, Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Examining the effect of smoking on living things, this group conducted research into the history of tobacco smoking, what tobacco and nicotine actually are, smok-ing legislation around the world and the cost of smok-ing. They carried out a number of experiments along the way and conducted a smoking survey on 114 people aged 10-60 years old. From their work they discovered that smoking adversely affects all living things, especially humans with 34% of the people surveyed being smokers. The group produced a short animated film to demon-strate their results and communicated their message to their local and online community through word of mouth, local newspapers, the local radio station, a leaflet and a website. One of their main messages was; ‘if you don’t smoke- don’t start. If you do start, do whatever you can to stop as soon as possible.”

Cheap and Efficient Domestic LightingMoyderwell Primary School, Moyderwell, Co. Kerry

In 2012 this group carried out a project that focused on carbon pollution and the different ways individuals and schools can reduce their carbon footprint. With the whole theme of energy efficiency in mind, the group de-cided to further develop their ideas from last year and chose light as their central theme for 2013. The group identified various types of lighting that were used in homes throughout their community. They used an elec-trical usage monitor to measure the amount of electricity used by the different types of bulbs. Once the most effi-cient bulb had been identified, they set about designing lamps that they could use at home and that would fit this bulb. By doing this, they aimed to reduce the electrical usage in all homes, thus providing a more energy effi-cient and environmentally aware source of lighting.

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Register for ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist

Awards 2014!

Gold Funders

Bronze Sponsors

ECO-Den Sponsors

Prize Sponsors & Other Supporters

Silver 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.

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

Cork City CouncilCraigavon Borough CouncilKerry County Council

Other Sponsors:Fairtrade IrelandIEN (Biodiversity Zone)Léargas (EU Presidency Zone)

Venue Sponsors:Dublin City Council (The Round Room)Claregalway HotelCork City Council(The Lifetime Lab)Craigavon Borough Council(Lough Neagh Discovery Centre)

Prize Sponsors: Delphi Adventure CentreDelta Force PaintballingPurchase.ieGate Multiplex CorkRainforest Adventure Golf

Limerick City CouncilLimerick County CouncilMeath County Council

Roscommonn County Council

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Email: info@ecounesco.ieWeb: www.ecounesco.ie

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Silver Funders:

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2013 is supported by:

Bronze Sponsors:

Gold Funders: