As part of our work at the Co-Centre to bring sustainable food systems to life for young people, we’ve been developing an exciting educational collaboration with National Museums NI.

Last week at the 𝗨𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺, we were joined by students and teachers from 𝗦𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗿 and 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗼𝗶𝗴𝗲, 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 for a brilliant day of immersive learning.

These schools were two of the 93 that applied to take part in 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙡𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙠 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙪𝙢. Throughout the day, pupils took part in hands-on activities led by the museum’s Natural Sciences Education Officer, Nigel Cook, alongside our own Hannah Millar, Dr Martina Rooney, and Louise Rice.

By exploring cultivated plots, working farms, and traditional buildings across the museum, they uncovered how staples such as oats, potatoes, butter, and berries were grown, processed, and prepared in rural Ireland over a century ago.

Pupils then worked with our team to reflect on how the food system has changed over time. Using current nutrition and sustainability data, they analysed the impact of typical breakfast foods. They began asking important questions about their own choices and why these choices matter for the future.

An exciting step forward for our 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘀 initiative and a powerful example of what collaboration can achieve. A huge thank you to our partners at National Museums NI and to the teachers and pupils who brought such energy and curiosity to the experience!