Youth Academy

Engaging Primary School Children in University Life

This experiential and community engaged opportunity connects with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

4 - Quality Education
10 - Reduced Inequalities
17 - Partnership with the Goals

The NUI Galway Youth Academy is a programme for high ability primary school children in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th class which gives them and their families an opportunity to explore university life and to engage in learning different subjects. The project was initiated in 2011 when Dr. Lorraine McIlrath from CKI, Ms. Mary Dempsey from the School of Engineering, and Dr. Caroline Heary from the School of Psychology, collaborated to bring together their different ideas on engaging young people on campus and with different disciplinary knowledge. With funding from Bright Ideas, a fund administered by the Vice President for Innovation and Performance for new projects that would enhance campus life, they took inspiration from the Centre for Talented Youth in Dublin City University and piloted the initiative. This facilitated 64 students from 10 different primary schools in the Galway City region taking part in 4 different bespoke programmes in the University including Psychology, Philosophy, Italian and Engineering. Having talked to school principals and teachers, the team came to the quick realisation that there are many supports for the children who struggle in the classroom setting but those at the other end of the spectrum do not receive many supports to enhance their academic skills and abilities. The pilot programme received overwhelming success and the team were funded to run two more programmes.

The initial pilot was offered with no charge to the children and a later charge of €150 was introduced to maintain sustainability of the programme as it is expensive to administer. In order to maintain diversity and encourage children from disadvantaged schools, 25% of the places remain free to those with medical cards (a means tested entitlement to free or subsidised health care). They also work in partnership with the University of Sanctuary to open the programme to members of the Travelling community, asylum seekers and refugees.

Now a mainstream programme at the University, the Youth Academy have three intakes per year in February, October and a summer camp in July. Each course runs for 6 weeks, with 2 ½ half hour classes over all different disciplines across campus. Classes include An Introduction to Computer Programming, Art on the Brain, Weird Stuff our Ancestors Did, The Mysterious Mind and many more. At the end of the 6-week term, they hold a ceremony with families and friends to celebrate the fantastic work of the children and they are presented with certificates from the University president.

As of 2020, the Youth Academy has proved an overwhelming success and it has worked with almost 400 schools, over 5000 children and offered 1250 scholarships to participate for free. The aim is to work with students at a young age and to create a positive, open perception of the University. It allows schools and families to build links and relationships with the University. For the children it provides a chance to engage in more challenging academia and to meet likeminded friends who are on an even playing fields academically. For the instructors and classroom assistants, the Youth Academy is used as a platform to showcase their expertise, gain experience in a different teaching environment and to develop facilitation skills. Overall, their experience seems highly positive as they love to return year after year. The future is now more stable for Youth Academy after receiving core funding from the university, allowing them to expand their reach and inspire more children.