Sixth class students Fintan Burrows and James McKeown from Brackloon National School presented to the Mayo County Council Climate and Biodiversity Subcommittee at the end of last month in Brackloon/Drummin Community Centre.
Using the platform ‘Minecraft’ the students creatively presented their Vision for a Sustainable Future for their community. Their vision was used to enter the Ireland’s Future is MINE competition run by Microsoft and RTÉ Jnr., which allows pupils to think creatively, collaborate, problem solve and re-imagine their communities in the future.
The virtual community featured existing landmarks, including a virtual Croagh Patrick, with various forms of existing and emerging renewable energy, improved and increased active travel routes, nature-based solutions and many more methods that could be used to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. The vision was an example of what our world could be if we take action.
The students followed this presentation with a stark warning to the subcommittee about their experiences on the dangerous roads surrounding their schools, which are preventing many willing students from cycling to school. The students presented the subcommittee with images of these dangerous roads, highlighting the need for cars to slow down and cycle infrastructure to be installed. The students spoke of their passion for cycling and demanded that something must be done.
Students were commended firstly for their inspiring vision and secondly for speaking so passionately about their demands for safer cycling to school. Cllr Blackie Gavin, Chair of the subcommittee, proposed that the student’s presentation is brought to the attention of the Westport Municipal District, saying the student's presentation had “laid the foundation” for this plan on behalf of their school and community. You can check out Brackloon National School’s Vision for their Communities’ Future here.
