CIRCULÉIRE Brings Students to Learn About Circular Economy at IMR
Transition Year students had the opportunity to visit IMR’s Lab in Mullingar and see how circular economy and cutting-edge technologies are being used in manufacturing in Ireland
Circular economy was the topic of discussion for post-primary students (c.15-16 years old) at Christ King Girls’ School last Wednesday, 10th November 2021. They visited Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR)’s Mullingar Lab in the National Science Park and had the opportunity to learn about CIRCULÉIRE, Ireland’s first industry-led circular economy innovation network; how to practically apply circular principles to products and were introduced to cutting-edge technologies that are being used in manufacturing such as 3D printing, collaborative robots, and artificial intelligence.
“I am interested in Science and can imagine myself working with STAM (Science and Technology of Advanced Materials). After hearing about circular economy, I can see that the field can help lower our carbon footprint…”, said one of the students, Marlene Liebendoerfer, 14 years old.
The initiative was part of Science Week 2021, and the IMR’s Outreach team in collaboration with CIRCULÉIRE promoted a campaign where teachers registered their classes and received a short introduction to circular economy. Students were then invited to submit a video recording answering the question “How could circular economy be implemented in your school?”.
“It is very special to see what they learn in the class can be applied in real life”, commented the teacher, Claudia O’Donoghue. But the take-outs were not just for the students, Maria O’Callaghan, junior science teacher, considered: “There is so much we can do when it is about circular economy. I think we all will reflect about our own habits back home”.
Two schools were selected as winners of the Science Week campaign. Christ King Girls’ School students acheived first place and had the opportunity to visit IMR’s Lab in November 2021. Another group of students, from Clonaslee College, came second place and will get an opportunity at a future date to visit IMR’s Lab in Mullingar when COVID-19 restrictions permit. Keep tuned for more news!
About CIRCULÉIRE
CIRCULÉIRE is a public-private partnership co-created by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and three strategic partners: the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EIT Climate-KIC. Together with industry partners CIRCULÉIRE aims to assist manufacturers and their supply chains to switch from linear to circular business models.
Read more about CIRCULÉIRE here.
