As we start 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year’s achievements while looking forward to the exciting opportunities ahead. In 2024, Future Focus21c embraced new partnerships, and further delivered on action-based, sustainable STEAM learning in the community. From empowering educators and learners with tools to fostering global collaborations, every milestone brought us closer to realising our vision for a future-focused education landscape. With 2025 promising even greater strides, we remain committed to driving impactful change in classrooms and communities worldwide.
VOICE EU Project 2024 - 2026
We began the year with an EU project kick-off meeting in Portugal, with the team of 8 partners from across Europe. VOICE (Valorising Artist-Led Innovation Through Citizen Engagement) project consists of two phases focused on Art-technology-society interactions (ATSI). The first phase is the pilot phase of 6 selected ATSI's that will go through the VOICE process containing pCr praxis, mentoring, capacity building programme, funding and communication support. Implementing the first phase is important as it is used to prepare and test the process for the second phase where ATSI invitations will be published. We want to ensure that the process runs smoothly and brings benefits to artist, communities and society as a whole. Within ATSI Invitations, artists will go through a selection process that will result in 14 ATSI's going through to the phase two of VOICE. You can read more about the project's approach and aims here.
As part of this project we also attended ARS Electronica in September for the consortium's annual meeting, give us time to connect with our peers and consider 'HOPE – who will turn the tide'. We have completed phase 1 and are kicking of phase 2, Feb. 2025
Transition Year STEAM Challenge Taster Programme
Images: FF21c, 2024
We delivered our STEAM Challenge Taster Programme with Transition Year students at Coláiste na Sceilge, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry. This initiative introduced learners to design thinking and challenge-based learning, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in manageable rotations. Interested in trying out this taster programme with your learners? Check out the resources here.
Empowering educators to examine the Climate Crisis
Our online training workshop, ‘From Urgency to Agency’ hosted through the Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI) and Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN), equipped educators with hands-on tools to engage students in climate change education and civic action.
Space Messengers International Partnership
Images: FF21c, 2024
In collaboration with STEMarts Lab in New Mexico, we developed the Space Messengers International education programme, Using a mix of STEMarts Lab's core curriculum and some of our Future of Space resources we introduced Irish classrooms to the wonders of space science and ethical discussions about space exploration.
STEAM Space Day of Learning
Transition Year students from Coláiste na Sceilge participated in a STEAM Space Day, virtually exploring CERN’s Hadron Collider with Dr Steve Goldfarb, engaging with VR experiences, and discussing the future of space science. This interactive event combined science, ethics, and creativity.
First LEGO League Success
Our First LEGO League team triumphed at the Galway Regional Finals, earning accolades for Best Robot Design and Best Innovation Project. This achievement underlined our commitment to promoting robotics and coding in South Kerry, particularly encouraging young women to join the programme. We started our peer internship programme, hiring two young people on a paid, 6-month internship to coach and work with new First Lego League teams.
Relaunch of the MCSS Platform
We relaunched the Muinín Catalyst Sustainable STEAM platform, offering over 800 free lessons and resources, emphasising Futures Literacy and Education for Sustainable Development.
Insights from Transition Year Teacher Survey
A survey of Transition Year teachers across Ireland provided valuable feedback, guiding the development of effective and sustainable TY programmes aligned with 21st-century skills.
International Recognition
Our Climate Change Engage project was featured as one of the Top 100 Climate Education Solutions at COP28. We were shortlisted for the Sustainability- Literacy Award at the 2024 Reimagine Education Awards and in the Sustainability category at the 2024 GESS Dubai Awards, for Best STEAM Education in the Classroom. Our Future of the Ocean programme was also highlighted within ocean literacy awareness and education at the 2024 UN Ocean Decade for Early Career Ocean Professionals.
Academic Dissemination
We presented at the Edulearn and EASE conferences, showcasing the transformative potential of STEAM education and contributing to international dialogue on sustainable education practices.
This year, Future Focus21c is positioned to launch exciting new initiatives, including the further development of our learner platform and expanded partnerships. We remain committed to empowering educators and learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
To all our collaborators, supporters, and learners, thank you for being part of this transformative journey. Here’s to another year of innovation and impact!
The Future is Now.
It is time to prepare today's students for today’s world.
If you are interested in using our resources with your learners or FREE CPD on Education for Sustainable Development and Futures Literacy please contact hello@futurefocus21c.com
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