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.
Programme resources: We will share programme resources with registered teachers in September 2026. If you register after this date you will gain access after submitting your registration form.
Projects: The deadline for project submission is March 2027.
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
We welcomed our 2025/’26 Programme Finalists to Bord Bia’s Innovation Hub for the Environmental Innovators Peer Day in May 2026. Learn more about the winning projects below.
Environmental Innovators Peer Day 2026
Tullow Community School Carlow (1st Place)
Finalists: Katelyn Dempsey & Conán Mulvihill
Topic: ‘Spraying Suitability App’
Teacher: Orna Brophy
Scoil Uí Mhuirí Louth (2nd Place)
Finalist: Ashton Malone
Topic: ‘Increasing Pollinators on a Farm’
Teacher: Amanda Gregor
Scoil Mhuire Trim Meath (3rd Place)
Finalists: Louise Kane & Bridget Corcoran
Topic: ‘Plastic to Protection – Agri Armour’
Teacher: Belynda Weldon O’ Gorman
Environmental Innovators Peer Day 2026 - Project Spotlight
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