🌍🌱 For all young eco-explorers! 👨🔬
On 16th of November 2024, Munster Technological University (MTU) proudly launched the second round of the MainstreamBIO Project Awareness Campaign with its first in-person event in Ireland, “Food Waste No More”, held at the MTU Kerry North Campus. This exciting workshop was a part of the larger Kerry Science Festival, a flagship event dedicated to fostering community engagement, innovation and awareness of sustainability initiatives in the South West of Ireland.
An Inspiring Day of Learning and Creativity
Designed as a hands-on, family-friendly experience, the Food Waste No More workshop was a hub of learning, play, and sustainable innovation. Just the workshop brought together 41 families and approximately 60 children eager to explore creative ways to combat food waste and build sustainable food systems
Here’s what participants experienced:
➡️ LEGO Workshop: Young innovators designed imaginative solutions for a sustainable future using LEGO bricks and other creative tools. 🧱🤖
➡️ Interactive Discussions: Fun and engaging conversations centred on food waste, the bioeconomy, and the role of families—especially children—in building a greener future.
➡️ Certificates and Awards: Every participant received a Certificate of Participation, locally produced fruit and stationary made from sustainable materials, and special awards were given for the most creative and impactful ideas. 🏆🎊
Children explored key themes such as:
- Bioeconomy and Renewable Energy ⚡🌞💡
- Biodiversity 🐝🌿🌍
- Sustainability systems ♻️🌍🚜
- Food Waste Prevention 🥦♻️🍽️
Why It Matters
This workshop was more than just an event, it was an investment in the next generation of eco-leaders. By engaging children and their families in hands-on activities, the event empowered them to take meaningful steps toward reducing food waste while cultivating an appreciation for local food resources and sustainable practices.
Hosting the first in-person MainstreamBIO Project event in South West Ireland added another layer of significance. It showcased the country’s commitment to aligning local initiatives with global sustainability goals, serving as a model for engaging communities and advancing bioeconomy awareness.
Event Highlights and Details
📅 Event Date: 16th of November 2024
🕚 Session Times:
- Session 1: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Session 2: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- 📍 Location: MTU Kerry North Campus
- 🎟️ Admission: Free
Key Highlights from the Food Waste No More Workshop:
- 👨👩👧👦 41 Families and ~60 Children attended the workshop.
- ⏳ 2 Sessions: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
- 🧱 LEGO Workshop: Over 30 innovative designs for sustainable solutions created.
- 🏆 41 Certificates and 4 Awards for the most creative ideas.
- 🌿 4 Themes covered: Renewable Energy, Biodiversity, Sustainability Systems, and Food Waste Prevention.
A Vision for the Future
This workshop demonstrated the power of combining education, play, and community involvement to address critical issues like food waste. The creativity and enthusiasm of the young participants, our future bioeconomy advocates, were promising and inspiring. The energy in the room was palpable as children’s imaginations and laughter ran wild, creating solutions that just might shape the sustainable future we dream of.
As we move forward, the Food Waste No More workshop reminds us that sustainability begins at home, within our families and with our youngest generation. 🌍👨👩👧👦 Start your journey today by reducing food waste at home! 🏡 Try using leftovers creatively 🍲, planning your meals 🗓️, preparing meals at home 🍳, recording what you actually have 📋, buying only what you need 🛒 and purchasing sustainable materials 🛒.
Together, we can envision and build a future where food waste is a thing of the past. Let’s continue to work, play, and innovate for a greener tomorrow! 🌟🌱🎓
Join the conversation and share your sustainability ideas using #MainstreamBIOProject, #MunsterTechnologicalUniversity, #CircBioGroup #FoodWasteNoMore, and #KerryScienceFestival.
