Dunboyne student wins national carbon monoxide safety competition
Tola Dediare from sixth class in St Peter’s National School in Dunboyne has won a nationwide poster competition to raise awareness of carbon monoxide and the dangers that it can pose in our homes.
Last year, Gas Networks Ireland, in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), called for entries to its carbon monoxide safety poster competition. Students who completed the ‘Energize’ Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) educational programme were eligible to enter.
The competition received amazing entries from all over Ireland, but it was Tola’s poster which was deemed the winner. Tola’s poster illustrated the importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm in your house, as carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless.
Speaking as she presented St Peter’s National School with an iPad for use in their school classroom, Gas Networks Ireland’s Social Sustainability Manager, Gráinne O’Reilly said:
"Science, technology, engineering, art and maths expertise is at the centre of our business, so we’re big supporters of STEAM education. We believe art is a wonderful medium to use when engaging with STEAM, so we are always excited to see so many creative entries. Congratulations to Tola and indeed to everyone in St Peter’s National School for winning term one of the 2022/23 Energize poster competition
"We are delighted that 3,447 students from 99 schools nationwide engaged with Energize last year. Most importantly, more students are now aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of having a working carbon monoxide installed throughout their homes."
The Energize programme delivers science to primary school students around Ireland through practical and engaging lessons to cultivate interest in the subject so students continue with it to second level education. Carbon monoxide awareness is an important element of the programme.
This year marks 13 years of partnership between Junior Achievement and Gas Networks Ireland and the Energize programme has recently been updated to include a module on ‘Sustainability’, which introduces students to the topics of renewable energy, biodiversity, and social responsibility.
St Peter’s National School sixth class teacher, Katie Mason, said:
"My class thoroughly enjoyed the Energize programme which brought science to life through fun and interactive sessions reflecting the curriculum. The programme enables pupils to understand career possibilities in STEM areas and encourages them to continue with science in second-level education.
"We are delighted that Tola won this award. All our sixth-class pupils engaged in the poster competition and grasped the important safety messages related to carbon monoxide with wonderful creativity. Thanks to JAI and Gas Networks Ireland; who helped deliver the programme.”
To have Energize delivered in your school, please contact JAI at info@jai.ie.