Broadford student wins national carbon monoxide safety competition
Grace Cussen from sixth class in Scoil Mhuire Broadford in Limerick has won a nationwide poster competition to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm in our homes.
Earlier this 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 numerous amazing entries from all over Ireland, but it was Grace’s poster which was deemed the winner. Grace Cussen’s poster outlined the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
Speaking as she presented Scoil Mhuire Broadford with an iPad for use in their school classroom, Gas Networks Ireland’s Social Sustainability Manager, Grainne O’Rielly said:
"Science, technology, engineering and maths expertise is at the centre of our business, so we’re big supporters of STEAM education. Congratulations to Grace and indeed all in Scoil Mhuire Broadford for winning term three of the 2022/23 Energize poster competition. Particularly as art is such a wonderful medium to use when engaging with STEAM, so we are always excited to see so many creative entries.”
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.
Scoil Mhuire Broadford sixth class teacher, Michael Boyce, 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 STEAM areas and encourages them to continue with science in second-level education.
We are delighted that Grace won this award. All of the class engaged in the poster competition and grasped the important safety messages related to carbon monoxide with wonderful creativity. Thanks to JAI, Mary Barrett from University of Limerick, and Gas Networks Ireland; who helped deliver the programme.”
To have Energize delivered in your school, please contact JAI at info@jai.ie.