Team Kilkenny YR

Why as a team did you choose to focus on this challenge?

After looking at all the categories we decided that the one that interested us the most was climate change. As we were getting used to using VR headsets we came up with the idea of using them to help educate people on the dangers of climate change and how it would affect them in there everyday lives. We wondered where would be the best place to reach the most people and thought that trying to educate younger people might have a bigger effect going forward. If we could get children to be more aware of climate change and how it effects them then they would be more willing to make changes and encourage their parents to make changes.

What do you know now about the challenge that you didn't know before?

We looked at the VR headsets and if we could use them to show how the environment around people will change if something is not done to slow down climate change. We realised that instead of VR headsets we should use AR headsets. These could be used to show the current setting and then impose the changes that might occur with climate change. Examples of flooding and higher temperatures that would mean less plants etc. We carried out a survey of a primary school and had questionnaire for both teachers and 5th and 6th class pupils.

What have you learnt about your Hero?

Our hero is a 5th and 6th class pupil. We wanted to know if they were interested in climate change and if they would make changes at home and in school to slow it down. We also wanted to know if they were aware of any effects it hand on them to date. We also wanted to know about their teachers and if they taught about climate change or if they would like us to come and do activities with classes using AR headsets to demonstrate the changes that climate change can have.

If you could improve one thing for your Hero what would that be?

We would like to educate them on the dangers of climate change and show them that it concerns them and will effect their everyday lives and is not just something that is on the news. If we can get them to make changes now they are more likely to live a more sustainable lifestyle as an adult.

Do you have any ideas for a potential solution? No matter how raw, share them with your Mentors for feedback.

We want to create an company that will go around to schools and using AR headsets be able to show the pupils the changes that will happen in 5 years, 10 years and 50 years if we do nothing and then what could be achieved if we decided to make changes. We could show how making bigger changes will have bigger effects on climate change.

Ask your Mentor anything …. This is a chance to ask your Mentors a direct question relating to your Big Idea.

How hard is it to get a software company to create the software needed to be able to set this project up. We think it could be set up and used in all primary schools and a yearly basis to try and get pupils to make changes at home and in school.