We’re feeling incredibly excited at The B!G Idea this week.
Our name is popping up across media platforms nationwide. While many people already know us through Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok, the news media are now sharing the excitement too.
So far, The B!G Idea has featured in the Sunday Independent, Limerick Leader, Carlow Nationalist, Irish Tech News, and womenmeanbusiness.com.
We’ve also made waves on the airwaves.
You may have heard us on KCLR and Beat FM. Even better, we recently appeared on RTÉ News — woohoo!
The Sunday Independent highlighted the importance of creativity in education. The article quoted our Head Honcho, Kim Mackenzie-Doyle, who shared a powerful message:
“Creativity is not a talent. It’s a skill that can be learned. Education often focuses on the right answer, but creativity is about possibilities. Employers want creative thinkers, yet creativity is still treated like a talent rather than a skill.”
The piece explored different learning styles, including kinaesthetic, physical, verbal, and written learning. It also highlighted how The B!G Idea supports all learners and remains fully inclusive by being free to access.
RTÉ News focused on four students and the projects they developed through the programme.
Donal Enright, TY Co-ordinator at Desmond College in Limerick, praised the students’ work:
“Some students are great communicators. Others have strong practical skills. They brought their talents together and created wonderful work. I can’t wait to see the final outcome.”
Womenmeanbusiness.com explored how schools can better develop creativity. Once again, Kim Mackenzie-Doyle shared her perspective:
“Our education system doesn’t teach creativity as a standalone skill. Sadly, we encourage it less as children grow older. Education needs to evolve.”
The article also celebrated our mentor community. It highlighted the programme’s 101 mentors from diverse disciplines and named creative leaders such as Dermot Bannon, Diarmuid Gavin, Roisin Lafferty, Timi Ogunyemi, and Lorna Ross. It also recognised the support of partners including MSD, UX Design Institute, Netwatch, Blacknight, Applegreen, Portwest, and Creative Ireland.
The Limerick Leader focused on how The B!G Idea bridges the gap between education and industry. The article highlighted active mentoring from leading creative professionals.
It also noted how the programme prepares students for future careers — including jobs that don’t yet exist.
Irish Tech News explored how The B!G Idea helps prepare young people for Senior Cycle.
The article focused on building in-demand skills and a creative mindset. It also highlighted how students learn to tackle major challenges, from the housing crisis to future pandemics.
The Carlow Nationalist quoted John Cullinane, Deputy Principal of Presentation De La Salle College in Bagenalstown. He stressed the growing need for creativity and innovation:
“The world today demands higher levels of creativity and innovation than ever before. We face complex challenges that require collaboration, determination, and creative thinking.”
Across all media coverage, one message stands out clearly. We need more funding to support the 10,000 students currently on our waiting list for 2022.
We won’t stop until everyone understands the value of creative skills. Our mission is to deliver this unique experience to TY students across Ireland.
If you would like to help 10,000 more students access The B!G Idea programme, please get in touch.
