Limerick student emerges as winner of national safety competition

A LIMERICK primary school student has been announced as the national winner of a prestigious carbon monoxide safety poster competition.

Grace Cussen, a sixth-class student at Scoil Mhuire Broadford, has won a competition aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and the significance of having carbon monoxide alarms in homes.

The contest, organised by Gas Networks Ireland in collaboration with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), was open to students who completed the 'Energize' Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) educational program, garnered a remarkable response from across the country.

However, Grace's poster stood out from the rest, effectively illustrating the hazards of carbon monoxide and emphasising the importance of having an alarm installed at home.

Gas Networks Ireland's Social Sustainability Manager, Grainne O'Reilly, expressed her congratulations to Grace and the entire Scoil Mhuire Broadford community during a ceremony where she presented the school with an iPad for classroom use.

O'Reilly highlighted the significance of STEAM education, stating, "Science, technology, engineering, and maths expertise is at the centre of our business, so we're big supporters of STEAM education. Congratulations to Grace and indeed all in Scoil Mhuire Broadford for winning term three of the 2022/23 Energize poster competition. Particularly as art is such a wonderful medium to use when engaging with STEAM, so we are always excited to see so many creative entries."

The Energize program, designed to provide primary school students in Ireland with engaging and practical science lessons, has been instrumental in fostering interest in the subject and encouraging students to pursue it further in secondary education.

Carbon monoxide awareness is an integral part of the program, which has been running in partnership between Junior Achievement and Gas Networks Ireland for 13 years. Recently, the Energize program was updated to include a sustainability module, introducing students to renewable energy, biodiversity, and social responsibility.

Michael Boyce, the sixth-class teacher at Scoil Mhuire Broadford, expressed his delight at Grace's achievement and praised the Energize program. "My class thoroughly enjoyed the Energize program, which brought science to life through fun and interactive sessions reflecting the curriculum," Boyce said.

"The program enables pupils to understand career possibilities in STEAM areas and encourages them to continue with science in second-level education. We are delighted that Grace won this award. All of the class engaged in the poster competition and grasped the important safety messages related to carbon monoxide with wonderful creativity. Thanks to JAI, Mary Barrett from the University of Limerick, and Gas Networks Ireland, who helped deliver the program".