UCD Smurfit School professors discuss sustainability and project management with young innovators

Vice Principal of Research, Innovation and Impact Donna Marshall and lecturer Robert Manning joined sixty 6th class students at Greystone Educate Together School for ‘Sustainability Greystones.’ The initiative encouraged students to develop basic project management skills while empowering them to tackle global challenges.

Professor Marshall discussed sustainability, social justice and environmental impacts before the students broke into teams to design a campaign, product or service focused on people and/or the planet that would have an impact on their home town of Greystones.

Eight teams came up with ideas ranging from sustainability apps, a hostel buddy system for vulnerable children, a packaging-free supermarket, multi-power energy turbines and a micro-plastic filter for washing machines. 

Next, students pitched their ideas to industry experts by participating in a ‘Polar Bear’s Den’ session. Experts included Greystones newly-elected councillor Mags Crean, The Happy Pear Sustainability Manager Kris Tate, Greystone Educate Together School teacher Jess Cotter and Professor Donna Marshall.

Students were awarded prizes for creativity and ingenuity around the theme of ‘1 Town, 1 Planet, 1 Life.’ The winning project was a community garden run by and for the homeless.