Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Clare Students And Teachers Attend Energy Workshops

Students and teachers from across County Clare have participated in a series of energy awareness workshops held throughout Clare.

Clare County Council’s Environment Section and the Clare Education Centre last week hosted an event for teachers at Clare Education Centre, which featured demonstrations on renewable energy, the energy usage of common household appliances and the importance of energy efficiency. The workshop was presented by Vincent English and was hosted through the Local Agenda 21 fund.

Meanwhile, school workshops have also been delivered at three schools, namely Scoil Mhainchin in Ennistymon, Killaloe Convent Primary School and Scariff Community College.   Clare County Council says activities and learning resources will be made available to schools involved in the pilot programme and logging devices will be loaned to schools as part of the project.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Pat Daly said he was delighted by the considerable turnout and level interest shown by participants at the workshops. He added: “It is important that students and teachers are engaged in the topic of renewable energy. They may well be working in this area in the future if their interest is stimulated now.”

Commenting on the workshop held at Clare Education Centre, Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, Clare County Council: “At the workshop, there was lots of discussion about different appliances and astonishment at just how energy hungry some appliances are. A practical exercise of logging the energy consumption of a kettle boiling was very instructive. A demonstration of a hydrogen fuel cell car proved was also given.”

“It is important to equip teachers with the knowledge and materials that will help them teach the science strands in a fun and practical way. Energy efficiency will not only help save us money but it will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and work towards a low carbon economy,” Ms. Tarmey stated.

For further information relating to the workshops, contact Joan Tarmey on 065-6846205.