TU Dublin SABE hosts inaugural Pathways for Geographers Pilot TY Awards Event
The TU Dublin School of Architecture, Building and Environment (SABE) hosted the inaugural Pathways for Geographers Pilot TY Awards Event on Thursday 11th May 2023.
Pathways for Geographers is an outreach programme aimed at transition year students with an interest in geography, the environment and sustainability. TU Dublin SABE are conscious of the growing movement and awareness among second level students of the need for urgent and sustainable responses to climate change. It is intended that the Pathways for Geographers project can also act as a resource for Geography and Transition Year teachers.
The first Pilot group of TY students, from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush, County Dublin presented their projects at the Awards event, which took place in TU Dublin Grangegorman (East Quad). A prize for best project went to TY students, Conor Bentley, Luke Mitchell, Griffin Carrick and Calum Cunningham, for their project on a Coastal Path at Rush, County Dublin. The winning students each received an OPW Student Heritage Card.
TU Dublin were honoured to have Mr. Niall Cussen, Chief Executive and Planning Regulator at the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) as guest and keynote speaker for the occasion. Niall gave an address to the students on planning’s important role in the lives of young people and how we need creative and innovative young people to create a sustainable future for Ireland.
Also in attendance was Mr Joe Corr, MIPI. Joe is a planner, TU Dublin graduate, past President of the IPI and Director of CWPA Planning Consultants. Joe also has a role as Chairperson of the St Joseph’s Secondary School Board of Management.
The School was delighted to welcome staff and management of St Joseph’s School, including Daragh Nealon, Principal of St Joseph’s, Aideen Lowe, Geography Teacher and Louise Ni Chonchubhair, TY co-ordinator of the student projects.
To conclude a very successful Awards event, Lynda Young, TU Dublin Senior Admissions Manager, provided a talk to the students about choices and opportunities to study at TU Dublin.
TU Dublin would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement received from the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in the development of this pilot outreach initiative to date.
It is intended that, following the successful pilot event, that Pathways for Geographers can be extended to a wide range of second-level schools from next September and over future academic years. The project hopes to create awareness among geography students and teachers of the potential for careers in combatting climate change.
The Pathways for Geographers project will suit any senior-cycle geography or TY student, but especially those with a curiosity about places and a fascination for the world around them, a concern for society and the environment and an interest in working creatively, collaboratively and scientifically.
For more information about Pathways for Geographers, contact Environment@TUDublin.ie .
Transition Year Students from St Joseph's Secondary School, Rush, County Dublin, discussing their project ideas at the inaugural Pathways for Geographers Pilot Awards event at TU Dublin Grangegorman