The Mayor Councillor Elisha McCallion, with children from the Chapel Road PS, attending a launch in the Guildhall, by Derry City & Strabane District Council, of a primary schools wood recycling competition. Included are Elsa Edwards, the council’s legacy project officer and Joe Brolly, recycling manager with 4RS, competition sponsors.
AN innovative recycling competition encouraging primary school children across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area to come up with a creative and innovative art installation or project that could be installed within the grounds of their school has been launched today.
The Wood Recycling Competition, aimed at engaging with local primary school children, has been established by Derry City and Strabane District Council in an effort to develop their skills, increase knowledge and interest in the world of industry.
Mayor, Cllr Elisha McCallion, speaking at the launch of the Competition, explained that it is part of the Council’s Science and Innovation Programme 2015/16, aimed at enthusing children and young people by developing their awareness of the potential of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).
Encouraging schools across the Council area to get involved, the Mayor said: “The Wood Recycling Competition is a great way to get children involved in recycling and maths and to be in with a chance of having a wood installation commissioned by 4RS Recycling and installed within the grounds of their school.
“As part of the project, I will be accompanied by representatives from 4RS Recycling to visit all participating schools to talk about the competition and to promote the recycling and science and innovation message.”
The Mayor said Council was very keen to do all it can to promote the STEM subjects and to instil in young people from an early age, a love and appreciation for Science and Maths.
“There are so many opportunities for young people who choose to study STEM subjects in terms of economic growth and job opportunities.
“Our computer scientists, technicians and engineers are transforming our world by pushing back the boundaries and expanding our horizons.
“Industry locally and nationally, is crying out for those with STEM skills and we feel that this competition is a positive step towards increasing their knowledge and growing their interest,” she added.
Elsa Edwards is a legacy officer with the Council who is working on the project.
She explained that each primary school in the Council area is invited to design a recycled wood installation for their school garden or playground and be in with a chance of having it commissioned by 4RS Recycling and installed in their school. Schools will be encouraged to choose one of a number of categories incorporating the practice of the STEM subjects.
“We will be encouraging the schools to come up with innovative ideas or concepts for the various categories using the STEM subjects, for example we could see a giant snake and ladders or large pencils being developed as an art installation.
“We really want to get schools to get creative and show their innovative side on this project,” she said.
The competition opens on Friday, 08 January and will run until 12 noon on Friday 26 February, with school engagement dates being scheduled across the Council area during the week of the 11 February.
The winners will be announced on Friday, 04 March and the presentation day with the winning school will be held in conjunction with Earth Day on Friday 22 April.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the competition and to view the competition criteria and rules are encouraged to contact Elsa Edwards, Legacy Officer, at Derry City and Strabane District Council at 028 71 253253 – [email protected].
For information on the Council’s Science and Innovation Programme visit www.scinnovate.co.
This project is funded through Council’s Legacy Department and Ilex Urban Regeneration Company.
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