Gold is top of the lesson today, as 80 Northern Ireland students take part in a Schools Challenge Day.
To mark the United Nations International Year of Planet Earth, students from schools across Northern Ireland are competing in a simulated planning enquiry to obtain planning approval for a gold mine in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The event is taking place in W5 at the Odyssey and is being organised by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI), in collaboration with W5.
The event aims to raise awareness, appreciation and understanding of Earth Science among schools and the general public, encouraging students to understand how effective planning and management can benefit both society and natural environments.
Lower-sixth form students from Collegiate Grammar School, Enniskillen, are taking part in the challenge. Taking place at a time of renewed focus on the responsible use of the Earth's resources, they are presented with a hypothetical scenario where they will learn about the planning, environmental, economical, political, geological and social issues that surround a proposed gold mine development.
Garth Earls, Director of GSNI said: "The Schools Challenge Day is an interactive and fun learning experience. The students are presented with a realistic scenario requiring teamwork, time management, analytical thinking, numerical, comprehension, presentation and debating skills.
"During this action-packed and informative day, representatives from GSNI, the media, exploration companies, government and the environment sector are guiding the teams and sharing their experiences."
The Schools Challenge Day will close with a planning enquiry, where the teams will present their case to Marion McCabe, Principal Planning Appeals Commissioner, who will make a ruling once all evidence has been given. The students will be required to display a wide range of skills to succeed in their tasks, ranging from obtaining planning permission for a gold mine, to handling potential objections from local government and the general public.
