We’ve been absolutely delighted to see students work so hard participating in this year’s PBL awards
Annette SmithNWRC Project Based Learning Co-Ordinator/Mentor
Young people studying a range of subjects at North West Regional College (NWRC) have scooped a number of awards at this year’s Project Based Learning (PBL) awards – including the Sectoral award for Innovation.
The Pixelz Gaming Club Arcade Machine from the NWRC Students’ Union was deemed to be the most innovative project across all six Further Education Colleges across Northern Ireland.
Four gaming machines will now be made and located around the college sites allowing 1000s of games on each machine. They will also feature important mental health messages and signposting of safeguarding support. When restrictions allow, Pixelz members will build the machines with supervision by NWRC Health and Well-Being Office Danny McFeely and PDC staff. They will learn carpentry skills, electronics, software and creative skills on the build element of the project. The Pixelz team won the College award for the Innovation sponsored by Enterprise NW, as well as the Sector award.
Annette Smith, Project Based Learning Mentor at NWRC congratulated all the students who took part in the awards. She said: “We’ve been absolutely delighted to see students work so hard participating in this year’s PBL awards which have been moved online because of Covid Regulations.
“Over 500 students from across Northern Ireland representing all six Regional Colleges took part in the Sector Virtual Project Based Learning Awards, which were hosted by the Entrepreneur Hub at NRC. Each College created a three minute video of their project for each category. Congratulations once again to everyone that took part and supported the Virtual Project Based Learning Awards this year. “
The Entrepreneurial Award: Sponsored by Airporter was won by Art and Design student Jack McDonald for his design for the Student Zone Project at NWRC’s Limavady Campus (STCI) The Green/Environment, sponsored by Derry and Strabane District Council was won by Construction student Samuel Montgomery for his new building design for the UU medical building, and the Social Impact, sponsored by Void Gallery was won by the Cross border choir (BHTPA) featuring NWRC Music and Performing Arts students.
