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A unique STEM education initiative celebrating Northern Ireland’s rich farming heritage has marked a major milestone. The Wool Innovators programme, delivered by SENTINUS in collaboration with Ulster Wool and generously funded by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, has successfully engaged more than 700 primary school pupils across 25 schools over the past two years.
Designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds, the programme introduces Key Stage 2 pupils to the science, sustainability, and significance of wool through fun, hands-on activities and workshops. At the heart of the initiative is a simple yet powerful message: wool is one of nature’s most remarkable fibres – renewable, biodegradable, and incredibly versatile.
Pupils not only explore the properties and uses of wool through practical STEM exercises but also learn about the essential role that sheep farming plays in managing the countryside. The programme highlights the environmental importance of grazing livestock for biodiversity and landscape health, helping children see sheep not just as farm animals but as vital stewards of the rural environment.
Experiments used natural dyes to change the appearance of the wool.
Students were able to see the journey from natural material to finished product.
Pupils also made their own crafts using wool.
The pinnacle of the programme is now established as the annual Wool Innovators Showcase Event, hosted at the Balmoral Show by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society. This exciting finale gives participating pupils the opportunity to proudly present their inventions, creations and learning to a wider audience. From felted models and sustainable fashion ideas to eco-insulation prototypes and wool-based technologies, the showcase is a celebration of innovation, enthusiasm, and the power of education as it connects young people with farming and the natural world.
Member of Council and Ulster Wool Depot Manager, Jayne Harkness-Bones, remarked;
‘Delivered in both urban and rural schools, Wool Innovators is helping bridge the gap between young people and the agricultural community.
For many pupils, it’s their first meaningful connection to where wool and their clothes really come from, and also for some pupils and teachers, their first time visiting the biggest rural event in Northern Ireland - The Balmoral Show’.
Commenting on the success of the programme so far, Jayne added;
‘Feedback from teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive and places in the programme have always been in high in demand. In 2024 after applications for the pilot opened 85 schools applied to take part with only 10 coveted spaces available’.
The programme has also been praised for reinforcing curriculum learning in Science, Technology, Design and Mathematics, while championing environmental awareness and sustainability in a real-world context.
As Wool Innovators looks ahead to future delivery, the programme continues to inspire the next generation to think differently about farming, fibre, and the future of our planet – all through the humble, extraordinary story of wool.
