A total of 84 final-year undergraduate students recently took part in an interactive Climate Fresk workshop, gaining practical insight into climate change while sharpening skills that will serve them in their future careers.
Climate Fresk
The Climate Fresk is a collaborative, hands-on activity that allows participants to map out the causes and effects of climate change in a creative and visual way.
Students, of BSc in Pharmaceutical Science, BSc in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science and BSc in Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation at SETU, worked in small teams, discussing complex climate systems, connecting human activities to environmental impacts, and exploring potential solutions. The exercise encouraged them to think critically, communicate clearly, and approach problems with creativity and innovation.
This engaging workshop was developed by Dr Eleanor Owens, Dr Tracey Coady, Dr Edel McNeala, and Dr Ariane Perez-Gavilan, who also created self-directed digital learning resources to scaffold students’ understanding of climate science and sustainability concepts prior to the session. These resources helped prepare students to engage meaningfully with the Climate Fresk activity, ensuring that the in-person workshop built upon a strong foundation of knowledge and reflection.
Energy efficiency
The workshop featured a keynote presentation by Kieran Ryan, Energy and Sustainability Lead at MSD Ballydine. Kieran highlighted innovative sustainability initiatives being implemented at MSD, including energy efficiency projects, waste reduction strategies, and community-focused environmental programmes. His talk provided students with real-world examples of how science and sustainability intersect in the workplace, inspiring them to consider the practical impact of their future careers.
Kieran Ryan, Energy and Sustainability lead noted: “At MSD Ballydine, we welcome graduates who combine scientific and technical excellence with a strong commitment to sustainability. We value individuals who collaborate effectively, think innovatively about energy efficiency and biodiversity, embrace responsible resource use, and are ready to help us make a meaningful difference -locally and globally - through best environmental practices. Our site operates a 7.3MW solar PV array that supplies approximately 20% of our energy needs from renewable sources. Through our ‘See Green, Be Green’ programme, we promote a sustainability mindset across carbon, waste, water, and biodiversity. We are working toward reducing Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by more than 46% by 2030, alongside broader efforts to cut waste and water usage while delivering year-on-year improvements in biodiversity across all Irish sites.”
Maja Rygolova, Final year student in Pharmaceutical Science said, “I found the event very engaging, collaborating with different courses and hearing their perspectives was insightful. The guest speaker from MSD made me optimistic to see the pharmaceutical industry take a larger stance and stake on climate impact, constantly innovating and setting goals for a more sustainable future.”
Dr Tracey Coady, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science, added, “The Climate Fresk is more than a learning tool, it helps students develop key skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and ethical awareness. These are exactly the attributes we hope our graduates carry into the workplace and beyond.”
A special thanks goes to Susan Doyle and Sara Carroll from Fresk, who coordinated the Climate Fresk game and Dr Natalilya Romanyatova, SETU Fresk Coordinator, and the eight SETU facilitators.
Meaningful discussion
Bringing together facilitators from a wide range of backgrounds added incredible depth to the discussions, showing how different experiences and viewpoints can spark creativity and meaningful discussion. These included Dr Stephan Whelan, Lecturer in Animal Production and Animal Science, Dr Nora Salaberry, Festival and Engagement Executive, Calmast, Dr Niamh O’Brien, Lecturer in Education, Michelle Maher, SETU ESD Lead, Corinne Power, Continuing Professional Development Coordinator, Dr Mike Kinsella, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science, Bridget Cheasty, EU-CONEXUS Communication and Administrative Officer, and Darragh Wynne, Technological University of the Shannon, Sustainability Coordinator. The facilitators guidance and enthusiasm ensured a highly engaging learning experience.
This initiative was funded through the SATLE (Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement) project, which supports the integration of sustainability and innovation in science education across SETU.
By incorporating hands-on experiences like the Climate Fresk into its curriculum, SETU’s School of Science is ensuring that graduates are not only scientifically informed but also ready to tackle real-world challenges with confidence, creativity, and a sense of responsibility.
