4 Mar 2019, 10:00
Students from ten counties will deliver TED-Ed Club presentations at Dublin Castle on Friday, 8th of March, as part of the Houses of the Oireachtas programme commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First Dáil.
The Houses of the Oireachtas TED-Ed Club is comprised of 15 students in transition year and fifth year. The students, aged 15 to 17, have received training and support via video conference.
The students have spent many hours preparing their presentations for the event, as part of 13 TED-Ed Club lessons,(formally known as explorations) under the guidance of their teachers and the Oireachtas Parliamentary Education Officer, Conor Reale.
“We continue our Dáil 100 events on Friday when we commemorate the first hundred years of Dáil Éireann by highlighting the voices of our future leaders, it will be a fitting way to represent the commitment of these students,” said Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD.
The presentations begin at 12 noon at Dublin Castle. Following the event, the students’ presentations will be available for viewing on the TED-Ed Clubs channel on YouTube. Two speakers will make their presentations in Irish.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD added: “As part of our Dáil100 celebrations, it is vital that the voices of young people are heard. I commend our TED Ed Club members on their hard work and diligence in preparing to deliver their presentations to their peers in Dublin Castle.
"Topics will rangefrom the power of democracy to challenges in mental health services and important conversations will be had at this event, led by students from across Ireland. We need to hear the voices of young people, who will steer our future, and I look forward to an engaging series of discussions."
Other topics for presentation include the impact of social media and mobile phones, coping with stress, sexual identity, and the relevance of education in the real world.
The students are:
Niamh Coleman, St. Angela’s Secondary School, Waterford
Topic: Is our education one size fits all?
Emma Connolly, St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk
Topic: The mental, physical and emotional health benefits of music
Richard Crotty, Kilkenny College, Kilkenny
Topic: Mental health challenges for today’s youth
Ben Doherty, Maynooth Community College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Topic: Stress from the Leaving Cert points race
Fufu Emeordi, Kilkenny College, Kilkenny
Topic: Belonging
Ciarán Farrell, St. Benildus College, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
Topic: The fight against climate change
Kate Feehily, Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, Dublin 20
Topic: Sexual confusion among today’s youth
Caoimhe Gibbons, Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Topic: The power of one vote, your vote
Niamh Henry, Our Lady’s Bower Secondary School, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Topic: Bullying, mirror neurons, empathy and fairy tales
Alex Kennedy, Larkin Community College, Dublin 1
Topic: The power of labels
Ava Murray, St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
Topic: Does school prepare us for life in the modern world?
Megan Ní Laighin, Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, Limerick
Topic: Why alcohol is a danger to our society
Céití Ní Mhathúna, Laurel Hill Coláiste, Limerick
Topic: Where has the pride in Irish gone?
Jenny Salmon, Loreto Secondary School, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Topic: Is there blood on your mobile phone?
Tarah Sherlock, St. Louis Secondary School, Monaghan
Topic: Is social media taking over our lives?