An Innovative Free Transition Year Programme to Support a New Generation of Creatively Empowered Youth

The B!G iDEA is a new innovative, nationally-focused 15 week Transition Year programme which despite level 5 restrictions, commenced in January and will finish with an online event on the 21st of May. At the online event, an interactive online exhibition will launch to celebrate the students’ projects. The winning team will share €1000 and receive new laptops. 500 students across Co. Carlow, Co. Limerick and Co. Clare are currently taking part in the programme. The schools involved are;

• Presentation De La Salle Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
• St. Leos College, Co. Carlow
• Borris Vocational School, Co.Carlow
• Desmond College, Co. Limerick
• Laurel Hill Secondary School, Co. Limerick
• Coláiste Chiaráin, Co. Limerick
• Coláiste Mhichíl, Co. Limerick
• St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Co. Clare

Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, the B!G iDEA instigator, is a creative advocate, internationally recognised product designer and winner of multiple worldwide design awards. The idea for the programme stemmed from a frustration with the lack of understanding on the value of creative thinking. Creativity is now recognised as one of the most sought-after requirements for all career choices and yet it is not being taught in school.

‘Increasing the capacity for creative innovation is central to the success of our society’.

Kim Mackenzie-Doyle packing B!G Idea swag bags

The 15 week programme content, developed by internationally award-winning creative experts, has been designed to enable a truly inclusive learning experience. Students receive all the equipment they need for the programme in a custom swagbag, and teachers are supported with additional learning resources.

The free programme acts to bridge the gap between industry and education with active mentoring from top creative professionals who give real-world advice and share innovative work practices to students, supporting and energising their learning journey.

The B!G iDEA mentors and judges include:

• Dermot Bannon, Architect & TV Presenter
• Lorna Ross, Chief Innovation Officer VHI
• Timi Ogunyemi, Photographer & Creative Director
• Roisin Lafferty, Managing Director KLD
• Diarmuid Gavin, Garden Designer, TV & Radio Broadcaster, Author & Columnist

The B!G iDEA will prepare young people for the Senior Cycle with in-demand skills. Empowering the next generation to solve problems, work together and communicate confidently at no cost to students, parents or schools. Students who participate will leave school with innovative skills suitable for every profession, even those not invented yet!

The B!G iDEA aims to equip the next generation with the creative mindset to tackle the biggest problems society faces. Co-created project themes for the 2021 projects explore solutions around current issues facing students and their peers;

• Pandemics
• Racism
• Housing Crisis
• Ageing Population
• Health and Wellbeing

2022 will be an exciting one as 6000 more students are on the waiting list and hoping to experience the programme. Check out www.thebigidea.ie and sign your school up now.

A special thank you to The B!G iDEA partners; Creative Ireland Programme, CEUD, University of Limerick, MSD, DCCI, UX Design Institute, Netwatch, Blacknight, Institute of Technology Carlow, Designfolk, Bradley Brand, Skechers, Delmec, Unum, Each & Other, Sonica, Design Partners, AppleGreen, How Might We and Carlow Tool Making for their support in making The B!G iDEA happen.

‘Creative Ireland is delighted to support The B!G iDEA, a project that champions innovative thinking and problem solving for our young people. We hope that The B!G iDEA will provide a catalyst for innovation that Transition Students will carry through to support their creative lives and future career choices’

Tania Banotti, Director of Creative Ireland Programme.