SETU’s Design+ hosted 32 Transition Year students from Tyndall College Carlow and Presentation College, Carlow, to the launch of the Ignition Innovation Programme.
The four-day programme, facilitated by Richard Whyte, Business Development and Technology Gateway Manager at Design+, and team members, Kinga Pestka and Ben Sweeney, aims to nurture creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among the students.
Breaking barriers for young people
Speaking about the event, Richard Whyte said, “The Ignition Innovation Programme is designed to break down barriers for young people by ensuring they can access the resources and opportunities needed to develop their ideas whether social or entrepreneurial.”
A research-based approach to innovation
Funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the programme was researched, designed, and developed by Aisling Hurley, Senior Design and Strategist at Design+. Aisling commented “Research supports that experiential and project-based learning approaches, like action learning, are effective in fostering intrinsic motivation and helping students to see the relevance of their learning. Rooted in experiential learning, the programme and customized innovation framework allow students to actively engage in real-world problem solving. This fosters skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. For this age group, action learning aligns with modern pedagogy that emphasises the importance of active engagement, deep reflection, and practical application of knowledge.”
Promoting deep learning and developing resilience
This tailored innovation framework provides a structured yet flexible process that promotes deep learning and reflective practice. It encourages students to approach complex, ambiguous problems, essential skills in both academic and professional environments. By designing, testing, and refining ideas, students develop resilience and adaptability, increasingly vital in modern education.
Developing future innovators
Over the four days, students learned how to identify and evaluate innovative opportunities through four programme modules: Spark Ideas, Fuelling Innovation, Change Catalyst, and Ideas in Motion. These modules focus on key disciplines such as sustainable design, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, helping students build a well-rounded skill set.
For Transition Year students, who are at a pivotal developmental stage, this approach fosters autonomy and accountability in their learning. They are not passive recipients of information but active participants in their educational journey. This model encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving- skills that prepare students not just for academic success but for future roles as innovators.
The Ignition Innovation Programme is driving entrepreneurship and innovation among young people, and SETU remains at the forefront of this exciting initiative, empowering the next generation of problem-solvers.
For more information on the Ignition Innovation Programme, contact [email protected]