The B!G Idea
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Our mission is to empower the next generation to tackle big, local to global challenges using creative thinking. Our young people have a tough future ahead of them, carrying some of the biggest problems our world has ever faced. We inspire our next generation to take on big challenges with confidence. With support from top creative professionals, students learn cutting edge methodologies they can use practically on their own projects. With B!G ideas come B!G solutions.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The B!G Idea is a Transition Year* programme that was launched in January 2021. This programme aligns schools in Ireland with industry experts to undertake 15-week design projects in the disciplines of Spaces & Places, Product, UX/UI, Wearables and Visual Communication.
Students employ creative thinking on co-created briefs to tackle societal issues such as homelessness, racism, health pandemics, disabilities, sustainability, ageing, and health and wellbeing. Through active workshops developed by experts and facilitated by teachers from any background, students work through the creative process - researching, empathising, defining, ideating, prototyping and testing. Students create, experiment, invent, take risks, make mistakes and have fun! Student work is presented and celebrated at an end-of-year event with bespoke awards and a virtual exhibition supported by industry.
We provide a platform that collaboratively embeds creative skills, empowering students through inquiry-based learning, developing critical thinking through socially conscious, experience-centred projects that will connect them with industry, their peers, their community and their world.
We bridge the gap between industry and education. Our mentors advise and share cutting-edge methodologies with our students who use the shared knowledge directly on their chosen project.
All programme materials, class content and resources are provided for free to students, parents and schools. There are currently 500 students, 19 teachers and 101 industry experts participating in the programme. With live projects to engage students with varied interests and a growing waiting list of 10,000 for 2022, we are certain that this programme has the potential to bring critical design skills to every school in Ireland with international potential.
*Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme taken after Junior Cycle and before the two-year Leaving Certificate.
Key objectives for sustainability
We aim to build creative capacity in Irish students so they can be the best global citizens. This is central to the EU, to national education and to innovation policies.
“We learned to empathise more and try to have a deeper understanding of issues that challenge us today.” Orla Mullane, TY Student
Through creativity, young people forge their identities, tell their stories, imagine and realize new possibilities for their environments. We work with students to co-create briefs around local to global issues that are directly affecting them and their communities on subjects they care about. In 2021, students developed innovative solutions on the Housing Crisis, Pandemics, Ageing Population, Racism and Health & Wellbeing.
Two examples of sustainable projects included repurposing containers into homes for the homeless and creating desirable and sustainable PPE for teenagers;
Team Muuttaa from Laurel Hill Colaiste, FCJ, Co Limerick were thinking outside the box when they used the lightbulb as their focus. Quite rightly they said that the light bulb is out of place if it’s not in a home and so they built a sustainable home from shipping containers which will be affordable, good for the environment and pleasing to the eye. All centred around lighting.
Covid Couture from Presentation De La Salle, Co. Carlow were very current with their creation of desirable and sustainable PPE for teens. The end product is an ingenious face mask which is comfortable, breathable, stylish and recyclable and a wristband which alerts the wearer if they are closer than 2m to another person and scans a building for contact tracing purposes.
The fully digital showcase and exhibition that wraps up our 15 weeks with students has been designed with a sustainability mindset. The inclusive nature allows all students to access the event and exhibition from across the country with no carbon footprint. The event can be accessed online for open access for the wider community.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Every user has been considered to ensure a meaningful and impactful experience for all.
Students are involved from the outset in developing themes relating to issues they care about and learn cutting-edge creative methodologies from industry.
The aesthetic of the experience relies on bright colours that reflect the positivity and youthfulness of the participants. One of the key objectives is giving young people a sense of ownership and empowerment of societal change and the ability to put their own aesthetic stamp to their project.
The programme is designed to be engaging for all learning styles with active learning experiences throughout.
We support teachers across all subject disciplines, establishing a culture of creativity and social responsibility. Teachers are further supported with pre-programme briefings, teaching packs, weekly lesson plans, weekly learning intentions and outcomes and regular opportunities for feedback.
“I loved it, I definitely want to do it again. It was so much fun, the creativity warm-ups were my favourite and the sensemaking activities were fantastic. It was so supportive.” Deirdre Wilson, STEM Teacher, St Leo’s College, Carlow
Evaluation reports show 92% teacher satisfaction.
We developed a bespoke platform customised to each mentor, giving the busy professionals a unique experience with delightful surprises. We offer welcome messages and r suggestions for best practice in the communication of feedback.
Mentors can see each other's feedback and view bio's to get to know each other. Each group of mentors per project is as diverse as possible, creating a gender-balanced, academic and industry panel. On completion, mentors are celebrated with interactive digital confetti as a big thank you.
“Absolutely inspired by the proposals by students hoping to improve life for our ageing population.” Lara Hanlon, Senior Designer, IBM
Please watch this short video that captures a little of the B!G Idea experience.
Key objectives for inclusion
To continue to be true to our ethos of access to creativity for all, we have developed a holistic approach to inclusion.
From co-created briefs, student teams have the opportunity to select a current social, environmental or ethical challenge relevant to the lives and experiences of students growing up in Ireland today. It is envisaged that the design briefs will evolve each year, ensuring the authenticity and relatability of the programme to students’ needs and contexts.
Interactive and accessible teaching and learning material has been created to support cooperating teachers from a cross curricular context. All teaching and learning content is designed with accessibility and inclusion at its core. Creativity pedagogy is structured through our team of gender-balanced and diverse mentors from the creative industry, and teachers are supported through consistent communication from The B!G Idea team.
A key objective is for students to understand the transformative power of creative thinking and the impact this can have on their lives and that of their local communities. To measure this, students undertake primary research by interviewing at least three people relevant to their chosen context in their local community. This research helps to shape the direction of students’ solutions.
We provide all learning and activity materials to schools and students so there are no barriers for inclusion - for example - a lego pack for systems thinking exercises, sketchbook to capture brainstorming and reflection - and much more. The B!G Idea is FREE for parents, students and schools - the benefits of creativity are for everyone.
Our interactive 3D virtual showcase celebrates our students' work and acts to disseminate the learnings the students have made, communicating the impact the student work can have on critical social issues nationally. The easily accessible exhibition includes every student's work.
Results in relation to category
Through our 15 week programme we integrate values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics within our student learning experience, teacher facilitation and mentoring phase.
We have achieved a 92% satisfaction rate from teachers from a range of professional backgrounds, despite school closures and online learning in level 5 pandemic restrictions.
In our first year, 100% of the 500 students involved in the programme have learned new skills. Confidence in young people has been raised as has the commitment to connecting with their community with 90% of student participants motivated to volunteer. Connecting young people with their communities with meaningful interactions and outcomes in a blend of natural environments and virtual supports the development of great citizenship.
Our B!G Impact data from 2021;
Do you have a deeper understanding of creativity now than before The B!G Idea? - Yes 100%
Do you feel more confident in using creative thinking in the future to address challenges you might encounter? - Yes 98.5%
Did you feel you learned new skills through The B!G Idea? - Yes 100%
If so, please select the skills you feel you have developed:
- Creative thinking (92.5%)
- Problem solving (65.6%)
- Working in a team (86.5%)
- Communication (68.6%)
- Research (67.1%)
From your experience in The B!G Idea do you feel motivated to volunteer in the future? - Yes 90%
Did you enjoy The B!G Idea programme?- Yes 97%
“I learned how easy it can be to get sucked into privilege, without realising it I became too comfortable in my own secure life. It was a real eye-opener to put myself into my hero's shoes and see that although I live with a sense of entitlement, others aren't as lucky. I felt that this project was the wake-up call I needed.” Alannah Lonergan, TY Student
From our first year rolling out the programmen to 500 students in January 2021, there are now 10,000 students on the waiting list.
How Citizens benefit
The students on the programme are encouraged to connect with wider society to understand the impact of their chosen challenge on individuals, society and the environment. Students learn that their actions can directly benefit society; the programme connects young people with their community through meaningful interactions.
Students collect data through guided research methodologies including qualitative and quantitative research.
“I learned that I really enjoy working with and hearing people's stories. I found out that I have a great ambition to help people in need.” Alexandra Jolondcovschi, TY Student
One project example is from students in Limerick engaging with homeless people in their community to better understand their needs. The team developed an emergency bag of items that supported dignity and positive mental health, connecting homeless individuals with direct services available in their area. The project encouraged the students to directly get involved with local community groups and they have since commenced active volunteering. From their experience in The B!G Idea, 90% of student participants feel motivated to volunteer in their communities.
Industry professionals were able to interact directly with students through a supportive, safe, and inclusive digital environment. Students have benefited by getting real-world advice and shared experiences from top industry professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds.
“I was excited to give some feedback to some passionate and thoughtful student teams on the amazing B!G Idea. Critical thinking, creativity and communication skills [the 3 C's] will be to the 21st century what the 3 R's [reading, writing and arithmetic...] were to the 20th. And the B!G Idea has created a very smart and fun way to help make that happen.”
Scott Burnett, Founder of Wove
Innovative character
The B!G Idea is the ONLY creative-focused, free programme, with industry mentors, developed by award-winning experts for Transition Year students.
We equip students with the creative mindset to tackle the biggest problems society faces. We have developed an innovative platform to respond to critical social issues via our innovative briefs, resources and lessons. We communicate how creative thinking can benefit all career pathways while bridging the gap between industry and education.
Over 100 creative professionals offer mentorship on our online platform in 2021 with a waiting list for additional mentors in 2022. Our programme caters to all learning abilities and styles; Visual, Aural, Verbal, Physical, Logical, Social and Solitary.
Students’ final projects are celebrated through an inclusive virtual exhibition, every student who submits a project is included. Students learn from the programme that an ability to creatively problem-solve can have a sustainable impact on their lives and their communities.
‘It is my belief that the best way we can support our students’ development is to equip them with the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to assess, analyse, appreciate, question and, where appropriate, embrace innovation to manage the changes that they will encounter in their lives and in their work in the future. I fundamentally believe that The B!G Idea programme provides students with the opportunities to develop themselves while working on projects that are of the utmost importance and relevance to them.”
John Cullinane, Deputy Principal, Presentation De la Salle College.
