Summary
Over the period of the EU SAVE II contract (2002 - 2005) MEMA has made significant progress in broadcasting and promoting energy awareness among the Primary (8 to 12 yr old children) and Secondary (transition year - 14 to 16 yr old adolescents) schools in County Meath. In total 100 Primary schools and 20 Secondary schools have been offered the opportunity to have a MEMA representative present an energy workshop in their school. Science has only recently been introduced to the Primary school curriculum in Ireland (introduced September 2003) - up to this point 'Nature Studies' was the only area in the curriculum that covered science related topics. This new Science curriculum proved a perfect channel to integrate energy and environment for the students. MEMA's energy education programme was received with much enthusiasm from both the teachers and students as a new and exciting element to studying how all our actions in our daily living affects the global environment.
To-date interactive energy education workshops have been presented to Primary schools students and PowerPoint lecture presentations have been delivered to Secondary school students through MEMA's Energy Education programme. The workshops take approx 1.5hrs and have been delivered to 39 schools in County Meath since September 2003 and are booked up to February 2005. The average number of students who receive the workshop and presentations is 90 per day. Approximately 3,550 students have participated in the sessions.
Results
MEMA's Energy Education workplan for 2003 was a learning experience to further develop the programme in successive years. Because the 2003 campaign was targeted in Navan town and region, MEMA's promotion was confined to a manageable number of schools which provided a baseline of information for the following year's larger scale campaign in 2004.
All schools that availed of the energy presentations and workshops were presented with an evaluation form from the MEMA representative. Information gained from the forms proved that all the schools that participated in the workshops found them very beneficial, worthwhile and topical and were very interested to be contacted about future MEMA activities. Also, from these forms MEMA was able to develop a database of email addresses for all of these schools to facilitate easier communication of information in the future.
Competitions demonstrated to be very successful and proved to be a good motivational technique in raising energy and environmental awareness issues among students. There was a good response received overall quality standard of submissions was regarded as excellent by adjudicators (Meath Co. Council staff).
Home Energy Surveys: All students were asked to take 'Home Energy Surveys' home so that they could discuss with their parents how Energy Efficient their homes were and how they could improve. All of these education and information dissemination activities combined to promote energy efficiency in the County (see full case study, for details).
Walking Bus Scheme: The 'Walking Bus' scheme is gaining interest and participation around the county. As a result of a presentation given to the National Parents Council for County Meath, there have been three further schools (St. Mary's National School, Ashbourne, Dunboyne National School and Enfield National School) in County Meath beginning proceedings in setting up 'Walking Buses' in their communities.
In general, schools that have 'Walking Buses' in operation have found that there is a noticeable reduction in traffic congestion around the school gates as a direct result of the 'Walking Bus'. As increased numbers of students and parents participate in the 'Walking Bus' there will be measurable results related to reduced vehicle traffic, reduction of greenhouse gases, reduction of local pollution and improved air quality. The 'Walking Bus' at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown has raised the school and community spirit through involving school members and local residents. The 'Walking Bus' has also created awareness within the County Council and has highlighted the need for more road safety provisions in the area. The County Engineers have subsequently initiated a plan for better road markings on school roads in the area.
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Case Study (163 KB PDF)