Over the past few weeks, we hosted several online mentor information sessions for current, new, and prospective mentors. These sessions gave everyone a clear understanding of what The B!G Idea does — and, more importantly, what being a B!G Idea mentor actually involves.
For those who haven’t signed up yet, we hope this information turns food for thought into inspired action.
During the sessions, our founder Kim Mackenzie Doyle reminded us why this work matters so much.
“The world still faces big challenges. However, we can’t solve them with the same thinking that created them. Education often happens in silos, which can limit collaboration and divergent thinking. Creative thinking connects learning and leaves room for discovery.”
In other words, creative thinking helps young people connect ideas across subjects and build solutions that matter.
One of the most powerful moments during the mentor information sessions came from hearing student voices.
Students shared how they:
In fact, one student explained how she learned not to take on too much and to delegate effectively — a skill many adults are still mastering.
Importantly, failure is encouraged in The B!G Idea. We call it Flearning (Failure + Learning). As a result, wellbeing, resilience, and confidence become just as important as the final project.
Niamh Cooney, Head of Development and Sustainability, walked mentors through the process.
The key message? It’s simple.
The Mentor Dashboard and App make remote mentoring straightforward and flexible. Moreover, The B!G Idea actively seeks a diverse range of mentors — from CEOs to graduates, across all industries and locations worldwide.
Thanks to our 2023 mentors, we continue to bring this essential, life-changing programme to teenagers across Ireland.
Together, we are bridging the gap between education and industry — and equipping young people with the creative thinking skills they need for the future.
If you missed the sessions, grab a cuppa and watch the recording below.
