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Winners of 2022 Trócaire Game Changers Competition announced as innovative students tackle climate change through games
Students from Achill Sound NS who won the primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National Competition. Credit: Peter Houlihan
Students from Achill Sound N.S were the top winners at the 2022 Trócaire Game Changers competition with their innovative boardgame “Roll and Catch”, which was inspired by the Achill coastline.
“Roll and Catch” is a board game where students roll the dice and land on either a question card, or a “go fishing” card. The question card asks questions about the ocean, and if you get the question right, you move forward. The “go fishing” card allows you to collect fish, while also showcasing the potential threats of climate change to our oceans.
Cara , who is one of 10 pupils at the winning school said; “We have lots of beaches where we live so we wanted to do something to protect them. For all we know by 2029 there will be no icecaps left. We had a great laugh making the game and learned a lot too.”
Their teacher, Pauline Gallagher said she knew the students would do well at Trócaire’s Game Changers competition as the students are very creative.
“It has been hugely beneficial to the students and the programme covers a lot of the curriculum from art, science, geography and SPHG,” Pauline said.
Now in its 4th year, Trócaire Game Changers is an annual competition run by Trocaire’s Development Education team. The programme invited students to create a development education game that focuses on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
212 games were entered into the competition with 28 shortlisted from each of the three categories – Primary, Post-Primary, or Youth – for the final showcase. The games are a mix of board games, digital games and some traditional games like Twister and ring toss.
Miya and Abbie of Sacred Heart College, Omagh presenting their game at Trócaire's Game Changers National Competition at the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. Photo: Trócaire
Trócaire judges said they were blown away by the quality and creativity of the games submitted by students across Ireland. The final selection of prize winners on the day were chosen by the finalists themselves and announced at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin.
Students from Groggan Primary School were awarded 2nd prize in the primary category with their game “Ocean’s Alive”. Pupil Lola said that the game was inspired by the idea that “everyone can do something to help keep our oceans clean”.
Students from Groggan primary school who came second in the primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National competition L to R: Olivia, Jude, Lola, Evie with Trócaire's Karen Casey. Photo: Peter Houlihan
“We know as young people that we can change the world. Our game helped to show the small things we can do like picking up rubbish when we go to the beach. It is important to raise awareness about climate change because at the moment we are endangering our planet with some of our actions.”
The winner in the post-primary category was Loreto College Coleraine with their game Planet Pursuit which focused on the effects of climate change and was based on the game of Trivial Pursuit.
Winners of Trócaire’s annual Game Changers competition, Students (L to R) Peter, Dean, Erin and Jack from Loreto College, Coleraine who won the Post-Primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National Competition at the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. The programme invited students from all over Ireland to create a development education game that focuses on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Photo: Peter Houlihan
Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said: “The Game Changers programme provides an excellent opportunity for students to explore the SDGs, get creative, and raise awareness of global justice issues as well as providing students with an opportunity to learn from one another.
“Never underestimate the power that young people have. The Climate School Strikes in Ireland is a great example of how young people can achieve change. “Do you think the Climate Bill (Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021) would have happened without the Climate Strikes and young people raising their voices?”
Stand Up! – St Dominic’s Grammar School.MOV from Trocaire on Vimeo.
WINNERS
Primary Category
Winners of Trócaire’s annual Game Changers competition, Achill Sound national for their game ‘Roll and Catch’ at event at the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin with Trócaire's Mary Coogan and Karen Casey. The programme invited students from all over Ireland to create a development education game that focuses on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Photo: Peter Houlihan
Antrim Randalstown Groggan primary school Students from Groggan primary school who came second in the primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National competition L to R: Olivia, Jude, Lola, Evie with Trócaire's Karen Casey. Photo: Peter Houlihan
Catarina and Kira from Mercy Convent Naas who came third in the primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National competition with Trócaire's Karen Casey. Photo: Peter Houlihan
Students from Scoil Rois in Galway who came third in the primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National competition. L to R: Niamh, Saoirse, Abby, Niamh. Photo: Peter Houlihan
WINNERS
Post-Primary Category
Students from St Dominics Grammar School, Belfast with Trócaire's Mary Coogan and Emmet Sheerin celebrate winning an award for their Stand Up documentary in the The Right Focus competition. Photo: Peter Houlihan
Students from Loreto College Coleraine who won Post-Primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National Competition L to R: Peter, Dean, Erin and Jack. Photo: Peter Houlihan
Sacred Heart Tullamore who came second in the Post-Primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National Competition L to R: Claire and Mia. Photo: Peter Houlihan
Students from Saint Mogues College, Cavan who came third in the Post-Primary category at Trócaire's Game Changers National Competition L to R: Juliane and Tamara. Photo: Peter Houlihan
