Architects of Change Programme

Challenge

Architects of Change (AOC) introduces environmental awareness to primary school children (KS1/KS2). The programme addresses the tension between short-term actions and long-term green ecosystem goals by supporting change-makers of the future, encouraging them to become active environmental thinkers and influential voices within their communities.

Approach

A mixed methods approach combining post-workshop surveys, children’s art and poetry, and researcher reflections created a rich data set. Design-thinking methodology was used in workshops to explore sustainability challenges affecting children from marginalised communities, both on and off the island, ensuring their voices and experiences shaped the research process.

Outcomes

A paper has been submitted to the Journal of Environmental Education Research. The project delivered 55 workshops, engaging 299 children from 11 schools. Two “Design a Marine Beach Clean Board Game” workshops reached 35 children at the NI Science Festival. An educational game design activity pack is currently in development.

Learnings

Children’s insights, artwork, and poetry show that using art and creative writing to teach environmental issues can lead to strong engagement and positive responses. Hands-on activities and creative freedom helped children connect more deeply with the topics. They responded best to learning by doing and valued the independence the workshops offered.

Impact

The programme reached 299 pupils from marginalised and under-engaged communities, inspiring new forms of artistic, social and literary expression. Teacher testimonials confirm enhanced environmental understanding through artistic and poetic methods. Children reported parents adopting sustainable practices at home following a recycling workshop, demonstrating effective knowledge transfer beyond the classroom.