Cyberwise Adventures in Cyberland Awards, a national initiative celebrating creativity, critical thinking and digital citizenship among primary and post-primary students across Ireland, took place in December. Hosted by the UCD Centre for Cyber Resilience Education (CCRE), the 2025 awards invited pupils and students to explore the theme “Global Opportunities and Challenges in Cybersecurity”, responding through projects in formats as diverse as posters, short films, presentations, artwork and digital stories.
The awards highlight how young people can engage with complex cyber principles, such as online safety, ethical use of technology, digital citizenship and emerging global cyber challenges, in ways that are both educational and deeply creative.
ADAPT was represented on the day by Professor Aphra Kerr and Olivia Waters. ADAPT’s support helped amplify the event and spotlight the importance of cyber resilience education as part of a broader conversation about responsible technology use.
The Adventures in Cyberland programme sits within a growing movement in Ireland to integrate cybersecurity learning into school curricula and to build confidence, awareness and curiosity about digital systems from a young age. Entries to the awards were open to all primary and post-primary students across the country. Participants received a Certificate of Participation, and outstanding projects were recognised with medals and special prizes, along with an opportunity to showcase work at the national Awards Day at UCD’s O’Reilly Hall.
The awards are part of a broader effort led by the UCD Centre for Cyber Resilience Education which also includes professional learning for teachers and the development of teaching resources to support safe and confident engagement with digital technology.
