“JEP is child-centred and discovery-led, which allows the children to take ownership of the process and set up a business from scratch. The children were amazed and delighted that they were successful entrepreneurs and that people wanted to purchase their product.”
JEP Awards 2024
The 4th, 5th, and 6th class at Lisheen National School near Skibbereen, Co. Cork, have been named Class of the Year 2024 in the JEP Awards.
The classroom was transformed into a science lab as the children experimented with soap-making, working with different essential oils, seaweeds and natural dyes. The pupils rolled up their sleeves and collected, washed and dried carrageen moss from the local strand after learning about its antioxidant, soothing and moisturising properties.
They made an initial batch of 100 soaps but had to quickly increase production to 300 bars to cope with demand. The class used their digital talents to produce a beautiful label for the soap and create a video ad to promote it. Finally, they invited the local community to a showcase day where the product was on sale and also set up a stall in the local farmers’ market. The class generated total sales of €2,160 and a profit of €1,350.
The complete list of 2024 Award winners and their class businesses is here:
Class of the Year:
4th, 5th & 6th Class, Lisheen National School, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Draíocht na Mara – natural, organic, seaweed soap
Marketing Gurus:
5th Class, Summercove National School, Kinsale, Co. Cork
The Kinsale Cookbook – a cookbook incorporating recipes from local restaurants
Digital Maestros:
6th Class, St. Peters National School, Dungourney, Co. Cork
Crazy Candles – a china teacup and saucer with handmade candles inside
Go Green:
5th & 6th Class, Corballa National School, Corballa, Co. Sligo
Know When To Sow – a calendar with seasonal seeds and info for each month.
Creative Pioneers:
P7, St. Ninnidh’s Primary School, Derrylin, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
Ceol Agus Ól – Tumbling Paddies mug
Health Heroes:
5th & 6th Class, Castlelyons National School, Castlelyons, Co. Cork
The Sports Box – contains various games and sports equipment to encourage a healthy lifestyle for children.
Dynamic Designers:
5th & 6th Class, Killeen National School, Birr, Co. Offaly
Bugsy The Boot Jack- a boot jack in the shape of a bunny
Star Submission:
5th Class, Loreto Primary School, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
Jupiter Jars- decorative nightlight jars
Game Changers:
MM3, Scoil Aonghusa, Spafield, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Super Drawer Boy: A Children’s Book – an illustrated children’s book about a superhero
Finance Wizards:
6th Class, Scoil Bhríde, Cannistown, Navan, Co. Meath
Cannisfest- a school festival
Genius Product:
5th & 6th Class, Wicklow Montessori Primary School, Ballyguile Beg, Wicklow
Town
Are We There Yet? – a travel kit for children to keep them entertained on long journeys
Community Champions:
3rd -6th Class Fybough National School, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry
Photo Buddies – original photographic prints of local beauty spots
Top Teams
6th Class, Scoil Mhuire GNS, Lucan, Co. Dublin
Bowtique Bows- various styles and colour hair bow accessories