The Minister for Education has lent her support to the Education Authority’s school competition inviting pupils to investigate the use and disposal of single use plastic in their schools. The competition is run in partnership with Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Queens University Belfast, Department of Education (DE) and Eco Schools (KNIB).

Pupils will act as Plastic Reduction Organisation Ultra Detectives (PROUD) within their school, undertaking an investigation into how waste is produced, its costs and wider impact on the environment. Pupils will have to collate the evidence and report back on how they plan to reduce their environmental impact in their school.

The competition is open to Key Stage 2 (P5 to P7) and Key Stage 3 (Year 8 to Year 10) pupils, with the winning entries earning their ‘PROUD’ Detective Badge and sharing a total prize fund of £2000 prize money. If schools wish to take part they can register interest via the website or by sending an email to info@reducingplastic.com.

Monetary prizes will be awarded to schools placed 1st (£800), 2nd (£500) and 3rd (£250), and £150 prize money for ‘Highly Commended’ 1 x Primary, 1 x Post Primary and 1 x Special School sponsored by DAERA, Eco Schools (KNIB), and Queens University Belfast.

Entries must be submitted by the closing date, Wednesday 25th May 2022.

The Education Authority has worked in partnership with Killylea Primary School to create a Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) resource to support outdoor learning.

The featured module sits within the TPL Supported Learning website and consists of six videos, led by Pam Lowry, Principal of Killylea PS, which outline the journey, activities and benefits of outdoor learning.

EA Chairperson Barry Mulholland, said: “The launch of this new outdoor educational resource is an excellent example of the Education Authority working collaboratively with school leaders to share their innovative teaching practices with the rest of the education sector to improve the educational experiences of our children and young people. I would like to thank principal Pam Lowry, teaching staff and children at Killylea Primary School for working with us to create this valuable learning resource.”