The I Decide project aims to introduce 5th and 6th class primary school children to university life and education, and to inspire young people to pursue a university degree in their future.
It involves a visit to UCD and facilitated sessions in the creation of a story or a comic book with the title “A Day in the life of a University Student”.
On the UCD visit, young people experience focal points of the campus (such as lecture theatres, laboratories, sports facilities, library) and meet with volunteer university students who will share their stories of university life. The young people have the choice of experiencing virtual reality, veterinary medicine and healthcare simulated workshops.
This project is being implemented by three UCD lecturers from Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics and supported by Access and Lifelong Learning as part of Pathways to the Professions.
I Decide 2024 took place March–May this year and involved over 40 primary school students.