The goal of Coláiste Mhuire’s project was to raise awareness of how the closure and reduction of hours in Garda stations in their area has affected locals. They wanted to help people who feel vulnerable in their homes by bringing this issue to the attention of local politicians so that they can help lobby for an increase in Gardaí in Rural stations and reverse the decision taken in 2012 to close some rural stations and reduce opening hours in rural stations.
The group chose this social issue because students in their YSI class had encountered times when they needed the assistance of the Gardaí. They talked to people in the community who felt very strongly that they would feel safer if there was an increased Garda presence in their area.
The STEM Response
The group worked with the school's I.T department to develop a booklet to be presented to local politicians, as well as with the English department, who proof-read the booklet for publication. The team also joined forces with the metalwork and woodwork departments to create a symbol to represent their project.
In conjunction with Bank of Ireland, the group designed a poster for the Askeaton Enterprise towns Expo. They created Facebook and twitter accounts aimed at connecting with the local community and to keep Gardai informed of their project. The project also involved the development of a petition that received over 1000 signatures.
The Impact
The team presented a booklet containing their research to local politicians and placed poster displays around their school with statistics and information.
The team is working to maintain contact with the wider community and the Gardai through their social media pages and to measure the importance of this issue nationally.
Their plans for the future are to hold a rural crime talk in school. By gathering all relevant bodies the team hopes to put pressure on local representatives to bring up this issue as a real concern of rural people in the Dáil.
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