Gas Networks Ireland Relaunches Education Programme with Cork School Visit

Gas Networks Ireland and Junior Achievement Ireland have relaunched their 'Energize' Programme with newly developed content designed to deepen students' understanding of energy and sustainability, with sixth class students from a Cork school among the first to experience the updated curriculum.

The relaunch, which took place during Science Week, introduces an exciting new chapter for the programme that has been delivered to students across Ireland since 2018. The refreshed content focuses on different types of energy, with particular emphasis on renewable gas and how Gas Networks Ireland is transforming Ireland's gas network for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Sixth class students from Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Ballinlough were among the first to participate in the updated programme. During their visit to Gas Networks Ireland's headquarters in Cork City earlier this month, the students toured the company's grid control centre, where Ireland's gas network is monitored in real time, and visited its main stores, from which field staff and operations teams are equipped.

The students then took part in an updated workshop focusing on how organic waste breaks down and can be used to form energy. They also constructed windmills to help them understand renewables infrastructure, bringing the science of sustainable energy to life.

Grainne O'Reilly, Social Sustainability Manager at Gas Networks Ireland, said:

"We were excited to introduce the new and refreshed concepts within the Energize Programme to sixth class students from Our Lady of Lourdes National School at our Cork office. Through these updates to the 'Energize' programme, students will gain valuable insights into sustainability, the circular economy, and natural processes. Educating and inspiring our future workforce is something we are passionate about at Gas Networks Ireland. As we move towards a cleaner energy future for Ireland, our younger generations will play a vital role in shaping it."

The 'Energize' programme aims to encourage students to continue studying science subjects through second level education and beyond by introducing them to the world of STEM and its diverse career opportunities.

Gas Networks Ireland is an ambassador for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications as part of the SDG Ireland Champions Programme. The 'Energize' programme supports progress towards Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 12: Climate Action.