Energize-d students

STUDENTS from Stanhope Street Convent Primary School have won a competition to raise awareness of Carbon Monoxide and the dangers it poses in homes.

Sixth class students Ivy Yan, Halle Walker, Georgia Brennan and Madison Keane took part in the Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) Energize programme, which is run in partnership with Gas Networks Ireland (GNI).

The competition featured hundreds of entries from all over Ireland but the Stanhope Street poster, featuring creative imagery and a poem about the dangers of carbon monoxide, was deemed first among equals.

Thanks to the efforts of Ivy, Halle, Georgia and Madison, their class received a prize presented by Gas Networks Ireland. The students were guided by their Energize programme volunteer Marie Lyster from Gas Networks Ireland and teacher Roisin O’Grady.

“The Energize programme was a wonderful way to introduce the practical side of science to students,” Roisin said.

“The carbon monoxide poster competition really grabbed my class’s attention and the fact that the girls’ entry won is the cherry on the cake.

“Thanks to Marie from Gas Networks Ireland for her work with the students – she was a great role model for women in STEM – and Gas Networks Ireland for supporting such an important initiative.”

Energize introduced science to over 5,000 primary school students all over Ireland with the help of 200 volunteers from local businesses who have been trained and supported by Junior Achievement Ireland.

The overall aim of the programme is to cultivate an interest in science so that students continue with the subject to second level education.

Ian O’Flynn, Head of Commercial and Corporate Affairs, said Gas Networks Ireland were big supporters of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

“They are at the centre of our business,” he added.

“Our long-term objective in supporting STEM education is to develop students’ interest in STEM subjects, with the ultimate aim of inspiring the workforce of the future to pursue STEM careers.

“This was the first year of our new primary school STEM programme, Energize, which contains an important module about the dangers of carbon monoxide and the warning signs of poisoning.

“Congratulations to the students at Stanhope Street National School. I’m delighted that so many schools engaged with Energize and that we received entries to our carbon monoxide safety poster competition from schools across Ireland.

If you would like to register interest in having Energize delivered in your school in the next school year, contact Junior Achievement Ireland at [email protected]