Kildare schools take part in ESB weather programme
Future forecasters in action! Students from Patrician College Kildare dive into the Weather Watch programme by ESB Networks, gathering real-time data and bringing weather science to life
SIX Kildare schools are participating in an ESB programme, Weather Watch Schools Programme, which helps students explore the links between weather patterns and renewable energy sources.
Each school has received a free weather station from ESB Networks to encourage learning around energy, electricity, and the impact weather has on renewable electricity generation.
The Kildare Schools involved are Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Coláiste Lorcan, Athy, Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara, Naas, Scoil Dara, Kilcock, St Marys College, Naas and Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge.
Donal Feeley, teacher at Scoil Dara said: “The weather watch initiative has proven to be excellent at helping students make practical links between weather monitoring, meteorology and using these skills to reduce energy costs”
Claire Phelan, Geography teacher at Partician Secondary School added: “The Weather Watch Schools Programme has encouraged students to think more deeply about the connections between weather conditions, climate conditions, and the link in generating renewable energy sources. Students are using their knowledge from this program to become energy ambassadors at home.”
Each weather station comes with a digital display directly linked to the station, allowing students to gather learnings from the classroom.
The lessons teach students how weather like wind or solar impacts renewable energy in practice – and how this can be used to help make more informed decisions on energy usage.
The programme encourages conversations beyond the classroom, helping students bring energy awareness into their homes.
By creating discussions about energy use, the initiative encourages participation in ESB Networks' “Is This a Good Time?” programme.
Nearly 8,100 secondary school students across 90 schools nationwide are taking part in the programme.
This initiative supports tips about electricity consumption, helping people to make informed decisions about their electricity use, such as shifting electricity use away from peak times or to times when there is surplus renewable energy available on the network.
