The EPA is calling on second-level students to enter this year’s The Story Of Your Stuff competition, which seeks to empower young people to make environmentally conscious decisions about their everyday ‘stuff’ and activities.
The competition challenges students to investigate the life cycle of their everyday ‘stuff’ through a creative medium, considering the entirety of the item’s life cycle.
Now in its fifth year, the competition brings together curiosity, creativity and science, and aims to get young people thinking about sustainability, climate action and environmental protection, spread the word among their friends and family and make lasting and impactful changes.
Entrants will be in with a chance to win €500 for themselves and €500 for their school. An additional ‘climate topic prize’ will be awarded to the entry that best addresses and incorporates specific climate considerations, including carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, to recognise a yearly increase in the number of Irish language entries received to the competition, a special prize for the best project delivered in Irish has been introduced.
Ambassador
For a third year, The Story of Your Stuff has partnered with UCD, which will host a finale event in April. This year, the EPA has enlisted the support of aeronautical engineer, citizen scientist-astronaut candidate and award-winning STEM advocate, Dr Norah Patten as the competition ambassador for The Story of Your Stuff.
Last year’s winners were Caoimhe Higgins and Katherine from St Andrews College, Booterstown, Dublin who made a video on the story of soap.
The inaugural Climate Topic Prize winner was Lana Mitchel from Coolmine Community School, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 who created a video on the story of paper.
Competition guidelines and tips are available at www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie.
The deadline for entries is Monday, 8th March, 2021.
