It's fun, it's free and it's all about saving energy. Energy Watch Day - a special energy-saving programme geared towards primary schools - is this year being run by the Irish Energy Centre in association with the Education and Living supplement of The Irish Times.
Not only does September signal the end of the school holidays and the approach of winter; it also heralds the timely arrival of Energy Awareness Week, co-ordinated by the Irish Energy Centre with the Energy Advisory Board partners, which this year runs from September 21st to 27th.
This year, for the first time, E&L gets involved in that part of the week's programme which is aimed at primary schools - Energy Watch Day. From Monday, September 22nd, the week counts down to Energy Watch Day, which falls on Friday, September 26. The programme, in its third year, encourages pupils to be more energy-efficient both in school and at home. Last year, more than 6,000 pupils participated, and it is expected that this number will increase significantly this time. Sinead Begley, education officer with the Irish Energy Centre, says: "Research has shown that children who are receiving an active energy education are potent influencers in the home, prompting for greater adoption of the energy efficiency message."
By this Friday, September 12, all primary schools will have received a special Energy Watch Day pack, so pupils will have plenty of time to get ready for the week. Any school requiring additional copies of the pack should contact the Irish Energy Centre (see below).
The pack contains a poster for the classroom wall. Divided into the five school days of the week, the poster highlights the countdown to Energy Watch Day. Every day has an energy theme with illustrations and ideas on how to save energy.
Thus the theme for Monday, September 22, is "Let's Get Walking!" This advocates saving energy by walking or cycling to school instead of travelling by car. Tuesday is "Let's Save Light!" day, introducing pupils to the energy efficient CFL bulbs, which last 10 times longer than ordinary ones.
On Wednesday pupils are encouraged to save heat by closing curtains in the home to keep heat in and drafts out; they are also informed that having a five-minute shower instead of a bath uses about one fifth of the energy.
Thursday is the day for pupils to "Check those Appliances", with ideas on how to save energy by switching off an appliance when it's not in use.
Finally, Friday is Energy Watch Day, with the theme of spreading the message as to how we can all be more energy-efficient. Each pupil gets a postcard so that he or she can send a simple note to a family member or friend with advice on how to be energy-efficient, based on tips picked up during the week. The idea is that each pupil should design his or her own postcard. The Energy Watch Day pack also contains a cartoon book which includes a story about children who learn more about energy and where it comes from, a quiz, colouring-in material and an energy survey to be filled in at the end of the week.
Any class that takes part in the energy survey is eligible for an Energy Watch Day draw. First prize is a multi-media computer, and runners-up will receive a class trip to either Dublin Zoo, Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, Westport House in Mayo or the National Ecology Centre in Sonairte, Co Meath - depending on the location of the winning school. In addition to all this, E&L will run a super competition in its September 23rd edition, with categories for eight to 10-year-olds and 10 to 12-year-olds. For further details check out E&L on that day.
Energy Awareness Week - which is organised in association with the Department of Public Enterprise, Bord Gais, ESB, Bord na Mona, IBEC and ICTU - is this year geared toward the domestic/ consumer, transport and education sectors.
The Irish Energy Centre can be contacted at (01) 808 2090 or by fax at (01) 837 2848.
