A tiny Mayo school has scooped top prize in a national ‘game changers’ contest aimed at raising awareness of spiralling environmental issues.
The 10 boys and girls at Achill Island’s Primary School created a new game called ‘Roll and Catch’ to highlight how climate change threatens the ocean.
Players roll the dice before landing on a ‘question’ or ‘go fishing’ card.
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Then, they are either asked a question about the ocean or allowed to collect fish.
Pupil Cara O’Malley said her class drew inspiration for the game from the stunning Achill coastline.
“We have lots of beaches where we live so we wanted to do something to protect them,” added the 12-year-old.
“For all we know by 2029 there will be no icecaps left.
“We had great fun making the game and learned a lot too.”
Teacher Pauline Gallagher said: “We have a school of creative children, and I knew Trócaire’s game changers competition would suit them.
“It has been hugely beneficial to the students and the programme covers a lot of the curriculum from art, science and geography.”
Winner in the post-primary category was Loreto College Coleraine with their game Planet Pursuit, which focused on the effects of climate change and was based on the game of Trivial Pursuit.
Trócaire Game Changers, now in its fourth year, is an annual competition run by the charity’s development education team, who help students learn about the issues facing people in developing countries through workshops in schools throughout the country.
The judges said they were blown away by the quality and creativity of the 212 games entered into the contest.
Finalists themselves chose the final selection of prize winners, who were announced at Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema.
Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said: “The Game Changers programme provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore the SDGs, get creative, and raise awareness of global justice issues as well as providing students with an opportunity to learn from one another.”
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