Future Innovators Shine Bright at Dare to Believe PExpo 2025
April 27, 2025 — The atmosphere was electric at the Dare to Believe PExpo 2025, hosted in a bustling Sports' Ireland 'National Indoor Arena' . Proudly supported by Allianz and Team Ireland, this year’s event featured 44 enthusiastic St Josephs' students showcasing 17 projects across a broad range of exciting categories, including:
- Physical, Psychological and Tactical Demands of Performance
- Power of Sport- Culture, History and Inclusion
- Well-being- Physical, Mental and Social
- Technology and Media
- Nutrition and Diet
- Olympic Ideas and Values
- My favourite Olympian (First years only)
- Personal Physical Activity Programme (2nd Year CBA)
The PExpo, Ireland’s largest Physical Education and Wellbeing Expo, encourages students to connect PE, sport, health, technology, and life skills in meaningful, real-world ways. Resources and guidance from the PExpo team helped students craft thoughtful, research-driven projects, linking curriculum goals with creative learning.
My Favourite Olympian
Congratulations to the six First Year teams competing in their first PExpo. They represented St Joseph's Secondary School so well happily answering the Judges questions, showcasing their research.
Personal Physical Activity Programme (2nd Year CBA)
The Junior Cycle PE curriculum: 2nd Year CBAs (Classroom-Based Assessments) puts a focus on students demonstrating their understanding and skills in physical activity, promoting physical fitness, and reflecting on their personal progress through participation in a range of activities. This is a new category this year, it was a wonderful chance for these second year students to highlight their learning in the PE classroom.
Senior students took the opportunity presented to them to explore topics of special interest to themselves. Working in teams on a PExpo 2025 project helped these students develop essential communication skills, as they collaborate, share ideas, and provide constructive feedback. It also fosters problem-solving and leadership abilities, as students work together to plan, organize, and execute their project while managing challenges and decision-making processes.
Adding extra excitement to the day, students also engaged with interactive sports activities hosted by organisations like Rowing Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, and Athletics Ireland. Fun challenges such as Zorb Ball, 3v3 Soccer, and Tug of War kept the energy high, while exhibitions of the official Paris 2024 Team Ireland Olympic Kit brought inspiration.
At the Dare to Believe PExpo 2025, held at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington inspired students with her presence and words. As a Dare to Believe ambassador, she engaged with young participants, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-belief. 'I can, I am, I will ” .
Kellie Harrington's involvement in the event, alongside fellow Olympians Dr. Philip Doyle and Paralympian Orla Comerford, underscored the event's commitment to inspiring the next generation through the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect
Award Highlights:
🏅 Molly (2D), Chloe (2C), and Sarah (2C) won the Junior Diet & Nutrition Award for their outstanding project on the impact of Pink Himalayan salt as a rehydration option for young athletes.
🏅 Doireann (2D) and Caoimhe (2D) captured the inaugural PE 2nd Year CBA Award, recognising excellence in classroom-based assessments linked to Personal Physical Activity Programme.
🏅 Caoimhe (1F) and Erin (1F) won the Team Ireland Olympic Kit Design Competition, wowing judges with their creative sneaker designs full of Irish pride. The girls took home an Ireland jacket and cap.
All projects were judged on creativity, research quality, communication, and relevance to modern PE. Throughout the day, students had the chance to meet Olympians, explore new sports, and deepen their understanding of health and wellbeing.
One of the judges remarked, “Today’s event shows the incredible imagination, leadership, and ambition among young people. It’s inspiring to see education, sport, and creativity come together so powerfully.”
Congratulations to all our participants, Ms Ryan, and the PExpo organisers for making Dare to Believe PExpo 2025 an unforgettable success!
For more about PExpo and project resources, visit:pexpoireland.com/resources. What will you do for PExpo 2026?