Key influencers in their own right, today’s students are the home owners and industrialists of tomorrow. The Irish Energy Centre recognises this, and the important role that young people play in promoting energy efficiency in their own homes, and has responded by establishing a Schools Programme. The Irish Energy Centre aims to provide user friendly resources to allow teachers to bring energy issues into the classroom in a real way.

• Two pupil booklets and a set of teachers lesson plans have been developed as part of a cross border initiative. These materials were piloted in over 30 schools in the Republic of Ireland during the 1996-97 academic year. The materials were well received and further dissemination may be possible.
• Energy Watch Day for Primary Schools has become an annual event for Primary Schools during Energy Awareness Week. Over 1,000 pupils participated nationwide during 1997 by undertaking simple energy saving actions in the classroom and at home.
• ‘Hey Everything’s Working’ a cartoon booklet produced by MOTIVA, the Finnish Energy Centre, with a strong energy theme has been translated into English and sets of 30 copies are being distributed to primary schools throughout the country on demand.

• The ‘Energy Conservation and the Environment’ Resource Pack, part funded by the EU SAVE Programme, is distributed to second level schools and acts as a substantial source of information on energy. Over 1,800 copies have been distributed to date.
• Energy Ireland IT is a pilot project involving the Irish Energy Centre, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Department of Economic Development in Northern Ireland, ESSO and NISTRO. Aspects of the project include twinning of schools North and South of the border who complete joint projects by communicating using IT. Another main element of the project is an exhibition with interactive presentations from twelve industries, which was attended by all participating students.

For further information contact:
Sinead Begley
Irish Energy Centre, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
Ph: +353-1-836.9080
Fax: +353-1-837.2848
Email: begleys@irish-energy.ie