Students from Ballyvary N.S. with volunteers Michelle McKim, John Gibbons, Robert Wilkes & Brid Farragher
Junior Achievement Ireland were delighted to partner with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the first time in 2015/2016 school year. Within weeks of initiating our partnership eight volunteers from EPA Castlebar delivered Junior Achievement programmes in primary and secondary schools in Co. Mayo. The local students – who got the chance to be involved in Junior Achievement programmes because of the EPA volunteers – ranged from senior infants enjoying the “Ourselves” programme to Transition Year who enjoyed the “Metlife Finance your future” programme.
In addition to teaching a programme, four of the volunteers invited their classes to visit the EPA Regional Inspectorate in Castlebar to see first-hand the work that happens there and further develop their understanding of the correlation between education and the work place.
Over 100 students from Ballyvary N.S., St. Patrick’s N.S., Castlebar and Scoil Phadraig N.S. Westport witnessed science and engineering coming to life by means of a Hovercraft, a Drone, Laboratory tests and River micro fauna displays. This was a fantastic end to the contribution of all eight volunteers involved, and a fantastic (and fun) learning opportunity for the students who attended.