Pop-Up Studios and Workshops at BFEI
Bringing Tech to the People:
BFEI Computer Networking students set up and ran a series of IT clinics where BFEI students and staff could drop in to get their IT issues fixed. They helped bridge the digital divide by sharing their skills with the rest of the BFEI school community. Whether it was a computer, a phone or other device they helped resolve the issue. Further clinics to come later in the year.
https://www.bfei.ie/courses/computer-networks-and-cyber-security
Pop-up Design Studio
Graphic Design and Web Design students set up and ran a design studio for two weeks. Staff and students dropped in, and the design students got to work and numerous projects such as 3D face scanning with Theatrical Make-up students, they designed promotional materials for ETB Day (banner, posters, social media content). They created newspaper and magazine ads, designed social media content to promote the college, and spread the word about Erasmus and upcoming events. They also did technical work on email campaigns using Mailchimp and designed the BFEI graduation script and booklet. They were kept busy for the fortnight! https://www.bfei.ie/courses/web-design-and-digital-media
Entrepreneurial Skills Workshop
BFEI Entrepreneurial Skills students hosted 5 local guest speakers.
3 were local politicians including:
- Minister Ossian Smyth, (Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy)
- Kate Ruddock (Blackrock) and
- Cllr Tom Kivlehan (Dún Laoghaire).
The other two speakers were green and social entrepreneurs, including Evelyn Browne, entrepreneur and founder and owner of Slowstreet based in Blackrock. Evelyn established s.l.o.w.s.t.r.e.e.t in 2020 as an alternative to high street fast fashion. Along with Stephen McManus, a social entrepreneur and founder of ‘The Bike Hub’, based in Dun Laoghaire. The Bike Hub is a social enterprise running community bike shops in Dun Laoghaire and Dublin City in partnership with several partners. Their aim is to help make cycling accessible to as many people as possible in the their own local communities.
Evelyn and Stephen shared their personal entrepreneurial journey and discussed the many trials and tribulations of starting your own business in the locality of Blackrock, including a start-up, just as the pandemic kicked-off in March 2020! Min. Ossian Smith and his colleagues addressed questions on Ireland’s circular economy strategy as well as Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions.
This proved a valuable learning experience for our Entrepreneurial Skills students. It was an opportunity for them to ask searching questions and seek advice from seasoned entrepreneurs. Hopefully this session inspired them whilst also helping them to avoid some of the common pitfalls experienced in starting a new business. We hope to see some of these students return in their own right as entrepreneurs in the not-too-distant future!
BFEI goes to Utrecht on Erasmus+
Five students from the BFEI IT department, from the CreativeWriting and GameDesign courses, have just returned from a 2 week Erasmus+ trip to Utrecht (organised in conjunction with ROC Midden college). The #ErasmusPlus program offers a wonderful opportunity to visit and work in another European country, with flights, accommodation and living expenses provided.
Five students from the BFEI IT department, from the Creative Writing and Games Design courses, have just returned from a two week Erasmus+ work experience programme (organised in conjunction with ROC Midden college). The Erasmus+ programme offers a wonderful opportunity to visit and work in another European country, with flights, accommodation and living expenses provided.
