Mayo primary school pupils empowered to conserve electricity
National school pupils from Kilmurry NS, Crossmolina, today learned how they can take action in saving electricity during An Taisce Green-Schools’ regional energy workshop, in partnership with EirGrid, the operator and developer of the electricity grid.
Students from first class to sixth class, and their teacher Ms Catherine Canny, attended the workshop in the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam, to learn about all things energy conservation.
The event, which is one in a series being held throughout the country, brought together a number of schools in Connacht working on the Energy Theme, to develop their awareness around energy conservation and how to effectively manage this important resource in our schools and homes.
The event saw students and teachers engage in activities, artwork and experiments, which allowed them to learn more about where electricity comes from and how they can take steps to reduce energy consumption.
To close out the workshop, the students from Kilmurry NS made lightbulbs and wrote energy pledges on them which they will aim to work on throughout the academic year.
Senior Project Engineer with EirGrid and Hollymount native, John Gill, spoke to students at workshop about EirGrid’s role in leading the secure transition of our electricity grid to low carbon renewable energy.
“It was fantastic to engage with students and teachers here today about energy in all its forms, and to outline how EirGrid is playing its part in climate action, by working to decarbonise the electricity grid," he said.
“It’s clear from the response from students, that younger generations are enthusiastic about leading the charge to make a positive impact in their communities, and events like these present an incredible opportunity, empowering young people to reduce energy consumption and be part of the conversation,” added Gill.
Rob Nelson, Green-Schools Energy Theme Co-ordinator, said: “It’s workshops like these, bringing schools together, that showcase the bright minds that will help secure our energy future.
"These energised young change makers have learned how to lead the way in their schools, homes and communities. We are thankful that EirGrid’s sponsorship allows events like these to happen, to help engage and empower young people to reduce energy consumption and spark the conversation.”
Green-Schools officially relaunched its energy theme for primary and secondary schools recently, thanks to its new partnership with EirGrid.
During the 2023-24 school year, schools saved a combined 18 million kWh of electricity, enough to make 58 million cups of tea, due to their participation in the Green-Schools programme, proving that interest in energy is strong among Ireland’s school children.
To date, over 3,000 schools have been awarded the energy flag since the beginning of the Green-Schools programme in 1997.
PHOTO: Pictured at the An Taisce Green-Schools’ regional energy workshop, in partnership with EirGrid, back row: Saoirse Ruane (4th class), Matthew Loftus (5th class), Ms Catherine Canny (Green-Schools Coordinator, Kilmurry NS), Morgan McAndrew (6th class) and Dylan Doherty (3rd class). Front row: Michael O’Boyle (2nd class), Eimear Heffernan (1st class).