Drogheda student wins national carbon monoxide safety competition

Raul Kovacs from sixth class in St Paul’s Senior National School in Drogheda has won a nationwide poster competition to raise awareness of carbon monoxide and the dangers that it can pose in our homes. 

Earlier this year, Gas Networks Ireland, in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), called for entries to its carbon monoxide safety poster competition. Students who completed the ‘Energize’ Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) educational programme were eligible to enter. 

The competition received numerous amazing entries from all over Ireland, but it was Raul’s poster which was deemed the winner. Raul Kovacs’s poster outlined the importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm in your house. 

Speaking as he presented St Paul’s Senior National School with an iPad for use in their school classroom, Gas Networks Ireland’s Sustainability Environmental Manager, Ronan Walsh said:　 

"Science, technology, engineering, and math play a pivotal role within our operation. We understand the significance of art in fostering innovation and creativity within our industry. We are always inspired to witness the imaginative entries that arise from this educational programme." 

The Energize programme delivers science to primary school students around Ireland through practical and engaging lessons to cultivate interest in the subject so students continue with it to second level education. Carbon monoxide awareness is an important element of the programme. 

This year marks 13 years of partnership between Junior Achievement and Gas Networks Ireland and the Energize programme has recently been updated to include a module on ‘Sustainability’, which introduces students to the topics of renewable energy, biodiversity, and social responsibility. 

St Paul’s Senior National School sixth class teacher, Barry Murphy, said: 

"My class thoroughly enjoyed the Energize programme which brought science to life through fun and interactive sessions reflecting the curriculum. The programme enables pupils to understand career possibilities in STEAM areas and encourages them to continue with science in second-level education. 

"We are delighted that Raul won this award. All our sixth-class pupils engaged in the poster competition and grasped the important safety messages related to carbon monoxide with wonderful creativity. Thanks to JAI and Gas Networks Ireland; who helped deliver the programme.” 

To have Energize delivered in your school, please contact JAI at info@jai.ie.