Derry students take part in national creative thinking programme 'The Big Idea'

Students from Lisneal College have taken part in this years multi-award-winning programme, The Big Idea.

They participated alongside learners aged 15 to 19 years from 22 counties, from Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Youthreach centres and schools in Northern Ireland, submitting hundreds of creative solutions to some of Ireland’s biggest social issues.

“The Big Idea is more than just an educational programme, it’s a movement to democratise creative thinking. Our young people have a tough future ahead of them, inheriting some of the biggest problems our world has ever faced. We want to empower our next generation to take on big challenges, because we know one Big Idea can change our world,” says Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, the award-winning product designer.

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

Of the projects submitted, based on the social issues identified by students as major stressors in their lives, 41 percent of teens wanted to focus on creating a proposal to support mental health, while 27 percent chose to develop solutions to combat climate change.

Hidden poverty was a concern for 13 percent of learners, displaced people were on the minds of 11 percent and 8 percent of the teenagers wanted to tackle diversity and inclusion.

Students have submitted a range of ideas with money management apps, mental health spaces, climate change solutions, community gardens, a physiotherapy device and shared childcare service for cash-strapped single parents, among the many solutions submitted.

Since the programme launched in 2021, it has already reached 6,500 learners across 22 counties in Ireland, supported by over 700 industry mentors globally to help unlock valuable industry knowledge to help build the confidence and problem-solving skills of young people.

Fiona Byrne, Head of Education at The Big Idea says the programme aims to elevate the national skill base and make meaningful impact to the lives of learners, as well as their wider communities.

“Students have the opportunity to activate their voices, responding to the problems in their own communities through a structured creative thinking programme. They can develop solutions that are meaningful to them and build connections to their peers in the process.

"We see a huge increase in levels of confidence and self-belief as students move through the process,” says Fiona.

Students Jacob Bond and Colin Louden

Niamh Cooney, Head of Growth and Sustainability at The Big Idea explained the importance of aligning the programme's challenges with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the 2023 programme.

“What we now have in The Big Idea is an exciting cross-generational community of mentors and learners who are working together to solve the same problems highlighted in the SDGs, creating a strong common ground and mutual respect.

“By equipping learners with new skills, mindsets, and confidence, we are empowering them to become the next generation of professionals who will drive positive change and sustainability across industries, " Niamh says.

Matthew Brolly and Emily Aiken from Lisneal College

The programme wraps up this month with the end of year online showcase streaming live on The Big Idea website on May 12th at 11am, where all of the Big Ideas will be celebrated and the Big Exhibition of projects will be launched.