The SMART Polytunnel: Growing Digital Skills with Micro:bits project at Curraghboy National School was made possible through funding from the EU Code Week Small Projects Fund. This innovative initiative combines coding, sustainability and hands-on STEM learning, enabling pupils to explore how digital technology can support sustainable food production and environmental monitoring.

Using Micro:bits, pupils designed and programmed digital solutions to measure and analyse environmental data such as soil moisture, temperature, sunlight levels and compass orientation within the school polytunnel. Through this work, pupils developed skills in coding, data analysis, problem-solving and computational thinking while gaining a deeper understanding of climate action and sustainable agriculture.

The project has extended beyond the classroom, providing pupils with opportunities to showcase and discuss their learning with wider audiences. The SMART Polytunnel formed part of Curraghboy NS's participation in the ESB Science Blast at the University of Limerick, where pupils explored how coding and digital technologies can help address real-world sustainability challenges.

As part of the school's growing European dimension, pupils also shared their work during a virtual meeting with pupils from Ellinogermaniki Agogi in Athens, discussing how technology can support environmental action and connecting with peers from another European country through digital collaboration.

The project also provided opportunities for pupils to engage with industry-leading innovation through educational visits to Microsoft Dream Space, where they further developed their coding and digital skills while exploring emerging technologies and their potential to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Through the support of the EU Code Week Small Projects Fund, Curraghboy NS has created a living laboratory that demonstrates how coding can be applied to real-world environmental issues. The SMART Polytunnel continues to inspire pupils to become creative problem-solvers, responsible digital citizens and active contributors to a more sustainable future.

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