Students showcase environmental projects concerning their local area

STUDENTS from TU Dublin’s Tallaght campus recently showcased three environmental projects concerning the local area at an event in Croke Park.

The first project looked at improving the water quality and enhancing the environmental and amenity value of local urban streams.

The students carried out scientific studies about pollution in the streams and also carried out a clean-up of the River Poddle in the college campus.

They also carried out a clean-up of the Tallaght Steam with Tallaght Tidy Towns and going forward, they hope to continue the project and replicate it in other streams.

The second project explored promoting biodiversity on the TU Dublin Tallaght Campus, including through the creation of a wildflower meadow.

The students undertook a biodiversity audit of the campus, and they went on to develop a walking map of the campus and arranged biodiversity tours.

The third project’s aim was to reduce cigarette and vaping waste in Tallaght village and in the TU Dublin Tallaght campus.

The students identified and quantified waste of this nature, then carried out clean-ups and proposed ways of reducing the dumping of cigarette butts and vapes.

Posters encouraging people to dispose of cigarettes and vapes responsibly or to quit smoking entirely were displayed on the electronic notice boards on all TU Dublin campuses.

Marketing and communications students also developed online social media campaigns and linked with Healthy Campus efforts to quit smoking and vaping.

All three of the projects linked in with community partners Tallaght Tidy Towns and Tallaght Community Council under the N-TUTORR national project.

Tara De Buitlear from Tallaght Community Council (TCC) said: “Tallaght Community Council were delighted to partner with TUD Tallaght campus on two environmental projects in Tallaght village over the last six months, approved and funded under the N-TTUTOR programme.

“The TCC collaboration with TUD Tallaght campus lecturers and students in both the marketing and engineering departments, was a rewarding experience.

“The projects generated practical and useful results, these will be used as part of the Tallaght Village Tidy Towns 2024 competition entry.

“We hope the teams of students gained helpful experience working on real projects, for real clients.

“They were committed and engaged in the process, giving Tallaght village Tidy Towns access to skilled expertise and engaged resources.

“A real win-win experience!”

The N-TUTORR national project is a collaboration across the Technological Higher Education sector to transform the student experience and achieve sustainable and long-lasting change.

The students showcased their projects at an N-TUTORR event in Croke Park last month.