The EPA want you to tell a story

The story of disposable face masks video claimed top prize in the EPA’s The Story of Your Stuff 2021 competition

THE EPA’s most recent The Story of Your Stuff competition received a record number of entries in March 2021, with over 300 contenders making submissions from schools across the country.

Now in its fifth year, the competition hinges on story-telling around real environmental challenges and brings together curiosity, creativity and science. Students are encouraged to consider the challenges to our environment and contemplate how we might tackle them through modification of production and consumption practices for the everyday ‘stuff’ in our lives.

The competition taps into the skillset that our young people have for imagery and short video communication suitable for social media platforms. In thinking about climate action and environmental protection, it encourages participants to spread the word about sustainability among their friends and family and make lasting and impactful changes.

Winning story

The 2021 overall winning entry was created by Robert Urquhart from Presentation College Athenry in Galway. Robert’s very topical ‘Story of Disposable Face Masks’ used excellent hand-drawn illustrations as well as strong scripting and narration to look at the manufacture and use of disposable face masks. As the overall winner, Robert claimed the top prize of €500, along with €500 for his school.

‘The Story of Face Masks’ by Keisha Abdulhaman from Sion Hill Dominican College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin won second prize and ‘The Story of Disposable Cutlery’ by Julia Wojtysiak from Le Cheile Secondary School, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15 placed third.

The prize winners for the climate topic and Irish-language awards were: • Climate topic prize: Oonagh Hales from John the Baptist Community

School, Limerick for her entry,

‘The Story of Plastic Cutlery’ • Irish-language prize: Rebecca Ni

Challanain and Kate Ni Mhathuna from Gaelcholaiste Charraig Ui

Leighin, Carrigaline, Co. Cork for their entry, ‘Scéal Lipéad

Crochadh’ which looks at clothing labels.

"The competition hinges on story-telling around real environmental challenges and brings together curiosity, creativity and science"

The competition is now open and will close on 7th March 2022.

Entrants are encouraged to use the EPA’s national information portal www.epa.ie/irelandsenvironment/ as a main source of information

Visit www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie for competition guidelines, tips, a teachers area which will include a lesson plan and poster and follow TSOYS on Instagram @EPAIreland and @storyofyourstuff.

the Story OF YOUR

EXPLORE. CREATE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WIN €500 FOR YOURSELF, €500 FOR YOUR SCHOOL + A CHANCE TO WIN THE CLIMATE TOPIC PRIZE + IRISH LANGUAGE PRIZE!

USE YOUR CREATIVE TALENTS TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE TO EVERYONE OF SAFEGUARDING IRELAND’S ENVIRONMENT.

Our 'stuff' and the decisions we make about it, directly impacts the environment. The things we use on a daily basis each have their own life cycle story to tell, and the choices we make have an impact on our planet. Choose what you're most interested in exploring, get creative, and highlight the importance of safeguarding Ireland's environment. All you need to do is tell the story of your object or an activity through video, animation, hand-drawn storyboard, infographics or photography.

ACT NOW AND ENTER!* COMPETITION DEADLINE: MONDAY 07.03.2022

*Your entry must be submitted by your teacher on your behalf via www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie

VISIT WWW.THESTORYOFYOURSTUFF.IE WWW.EPA.IE/IRELANDSENVIRONMENT WWW.EPA.IE/IRELANDSENVIRONMENT/STATEOFTHEENVIRONMENTREPORT AND WWW.EPA.IE FOR MORE RESOURCES.