Offaly teams look to Milk It

Two secondary school teams in Offaly are among 100 who have reached phase two of the NDC Milk It Awards for 2014, which brings with it a chance to have their work broadcast on national television.

A fifth year team headed up by teacher Andrea Eagan from Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa in Clara has made it to the second stage of the competition with a project entitled “Offaly Milky”, while a transition year team from Tullamore College led by teacher Kelly Doolan has also made it through to the next round with a project called “The Mulk”.

The NDC Milk It Awards sees students from first to sixth year form an advertising agency and create a campaign as an engaging way to learn about the nutritional benefits of milk, yogurt and cheese.

The competition was developed against a background of research from a national survey showing that 42 per cent of Irish teenage girls and 23 per cent of Irish teenage boys have insufficient calcium intakes.

A total of 258 teams and 1,554 students from 22 counties initially registered for the 2014 NDC Milk It awards, the highest number of participants in the competition’s four year history.

The 100 teams going through to the second phase of the competition will now turn initial ideas into action with the help of media and nutrition guidance.

A further shortlist of 20 teams will be announced at the end of March, with finalists exhibiting their work at national finals in mid-May.

The overall winning team will get to visit the TV3/3e studios for a chance to brainstorm with creative experts and will also see their campaign brought to life for broadcast on TV3 and 3e.