FYBOUGH’S GENIUS KIDS
DID you know that the first basketball game every played was in Springfield in 1891 or that the first GAA game on TV was Kerry vs Dublin in 1962 or that artist Pablo Picasso once said “Good Artists Copy and Great Artists Steal”?
These interesting facts and much more were shared by students at Fybough National School last week when they presented their chosen passion projects at Genius Hour in the school.
The new school initiative encouraged students from third to sixth class to complete a project on whatever passion they were interested in – football, car building, magic tricks, fashion design or musical theatre and then present it to parents and teachers in a special showcase.
12-year old Lauren Joy decided to do something for charity and came up with the concept of a bake sale. She created a power point presentation outlining her plans. “I chose a bake sale because my hobby is to bake. I saw a sad advert for the Irish cancer society which made me think of doing it for them.”
Erin Evans (9) completed her project on Vincent Van Gogh because she loves his paintings.
“When I saw his paintings I had to pick him. I learned that he had a very interesting life and he did his most famous work in an asylum.”
Ava Ladden (11) also focused on famous artists gathering information on them and their dates of birth and death.
Kerry O’Shea (10) created clay charms because she loves jewellery. “I love emojis and popcorn so I made charms of those.”
Gearoid Evans (11) focused on basketball while Kyle Benson (10) focused on his passion – Kerry football.
His project which included an information board and power point presentation was so thorough that he was one of two students who won an award for their work from Bank of Ireland.
Musical theatre and movies were the focus for students Michael Griffin (11) and Laoise Foley (10). Laoise made her very own short film about a dance competition.
Oisin Foley (10) created a wooden car with the support of his parents including cutting out the car and hand-painting. it. The finishing project also won him a prize.
“The idea is to give children time in class to discover what interests them. Children were given time each week to discover their passion. The children may choose to learn a new skill, research a topic, build something, make something or even invent something,” says principal Catherine Ni Mhuircheartaigh
“The children took complete ownership of their projects learning all about time keeping time management setting targets and reflecting on their work. I believe the children learned a great deal and it was evident they were fully engaged in their work. Thanks to Bank of Ireland for supporting us.”