TRANSITION YEAR
Environmental Innovators
This Transition Year programme educates students on the challenges that the global food system faces, and invites them to investigate sustainable solutions.
Introduction
The consumption of the world’s natural resources is increasing in line with the global demand for food. This increase in demand is putting pressure on current agricultural practices to optimise output while also reducing impact on the environment. New methods are required to ensure the food production process can evolve to meet global sustainability objectives.
Our youth are the decision-makers of tomorrow, and with that in mind, Agri Aware has developed Environmental Innovators in partnership with BiOrbic. This project-based programme for Transition Year students reviews the various challenges that our global agri-food system faces and invites students to investigate innovative solutions through the completion of a research project.
Participants will develop critical thinking and communication skills, as well as gaining further exposure to science and agri-food careers through global citizenship and sustainable food systems education.
It is now possible to register your class for Environmental Innovators 2025/’26. We will share programme resources with registered teachers the week of September 15, 2025.
The objectives of the programme include:
- Increase understanding of the challenges and innovative solutions associated with the agri-food system
- Encourage solution orientated and critical thinking
- Offer supportive material to TYs in their journey towards Leaving Certificate and beyond
Chapters that students will engage with:
- Waste
- Climate
- Biodiversity
- Land Use
- Project Template
Environmental Innovators Peer Day 2025
See below our finalists for the 2025 Peer Day. These student groups were invited to showcase their work, attend workshops, and discuss their proposed innovations with leading agri-food stakeholders and peers at a closed event in early April. The Peer Day concluded with a prizegiving ceremony.
Congratulations to Scoil Mhuire, Trim (Meath) who are our Environmental Innovator National Champions for 2025!
Finalists are listed below in alphabetical order by school name.
Boyne Community School (Meath)
Finalists:Lauren Gilbride, Faye Govern, Alanna Leonard
Topic: Solar Panels
Teacher: Laura Murphy
CBS Thurles (Tipperary)
Finalists: Luke Blackwell, Pádraic Callanan
Topic: Using Comfrey as a Fertiliser
Teacher: Mary Creedon
De La Salle College (Louth)
Finalist: Ronan Owens
Topic: Mobile Solar-Powered Greenhouse
Teacher: Sinead Flanagan
Killina Presentation Secondary School (Offaly)
Finalists: Maja Hejnowska, Kamile Bauzaite, Izabela Keskiewicz, Nora Miteva
Topic: Teabag Waste Recycling
Teacher: Natalia Hanczka
1st Prize: Scoil Mhuire, Trim (Meath)
Finalists: Ciara Duffy, Hannah Mulligan, Majella Martin
Topic: Baling Twine Reuse
Teacher: Belynda O Gorman
2nd Prize: St Patricks Classical School, Navan (Meath)
Finalist Names: Charlie Twomey, Conall O’Sullivan, Conor Duffy, Diarmuid Fallon
Topic: Sustainable Equine Bedding
Teacher: Cathal O’Reilly
St Patricks Classical School, Navan (Meath)
Finalists:Tom Ryan, Tom Concannon, Tom Howley, Fergus Keelan
Topic: School Recycling Competition
Teacher: Cathal O’Reilly
3rd Prize: The High School, Rathgar (Dublin)
Finalists: Doga Erpolat, Jo Jo O’Connor, Olivia Leonard
Topic: Repurposing Waste Paper
Teacher: Geoff Langrell
See below commended entries submitted as part of the 2024/'25 programme.
St. Patricks Secondary School, Castleisland (Kerry)
Finalists: Luke Flaherty, James Credo, Sonia Casis, Cait Daily
Topic: River Waste Collector
Teacher: Kevin Fitzgerald
Coláiste Pobail Naomh Mhuire (Cork)
Finalist: Lily O Callaghan
Topic: Christmas Tree Recycling
Teacher: Mr Pat Curtin
Environmental Innovators Peer Day 2025 - Project Spotlights
We welcomed our 2024/’25 Programme Finalists to Bord Bia’s Innovation Hub for the Environmental Innovators Peer Day in April 2025. Learn more about their projects below.
Other Programmes
Other Secondary School Programmes you may be interested in!
