The Academy of the Near Future is proud to announce the inaugural ‘The Connective Detective Exhibition’, taking place on 9–10 May 2025 at Regent House, Trinity College Dublin. This public exhibition will spotlight smart city prototypes and creative ideas developed by primary school students as part of the Connective Detective workshop series.
Since early 2024, ‘The Connective Detective’ programme has introduced more than 450 students from 12 schools across Dublin to the world of telecommunications, connectivity, and smart cities—through imaginative, hands-on learning. The result is a collection of inventive smart city prototypes created by the next generation of innovators, now ready to be shared with the public. The challenges the students address with their prototypes reach from homelessness, racism, antisocial behaviour to littering or wrong parking. For example one group of students designed drones that can detect and collect trash in the sea while others created a smart homeless shelter.
“It is important to involve children in the discourse on smart cities from an early age to foster their ability to participate effectively as citizens. In this way, they learn to form and express their own opinions on these complex issues, which encourages them to think big and come up with innovative ideas we all can learn from” Clara Butz, Engagement Programme Lead of the Connective Detective.
“We believe young people have a vital role to play in shaping the future of our cities,” said Professor Dan Kilper, Director of the CONNECT Centre.
“It’s inspiring to see how these students have embraced complex ideas like telecommunications and smart infrastructure with such creativity and vision. This exhibition is a testament to their innovation and potential.”
- Smart city prototypes designed by students
- Interactive displays exploring how cities use technology to stay connected
- Creative design zones where visitors can build their own smart cit y prototypes using Lego and recycled materials
- A visual journey through the evolution of telecommunications
Event Details
Location: Regent House, Trinity College Dublin
Opening Hours:
- Thursday, 9 May | 2.00pm – 5.30pm
- Friday, 10 May | 10.00am – 2.00pm
Free entry with registration | Lift access available
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-connective-detective-exhibition-tickets-1297074297139
