Northampton National School bright sparks show an eye for creativity

A South Galway school was awarded a €1,500 energy-efficiency upgrade after bright sparks from its senior classes came up with an imaginative renewable technology design.

A South Galway school was awarded a €1,500 energy-efficiency upgrade after bright sparks from its senior classes came up with an imaginative renewable technology design.
Northampton National School in Kinvara last week celebrated their eco achievements after SSE Renewables, Ireland’s largest renewable energy developer, presented senior pupils with a plaque in recognition of the school’s energy efficiency upgrade, which was provided by the company.
Windfarms developed by SSE Renewables power energy supplier Airtricity with over 500MW of green energy.
The South Galway pupils won the SSE Renewables eco grant after showcasing their technical design skills as well as their eye for innovative creativity at last year’s hugely successful Sea2Sky European Researchers Event held at NUI Galway. The bright sparks impressed the judges with their design for an imaginative transportation technology driven by wave, tidal and solar power.
The prize fund has been spent on a Building Energy Rating and the installation of insulation, helping the Kinvara school to improve its energy efficiency. The school has also been awarded an energy monitor to help keep track of energy use.
Northampton School principal, Shane McDonagh, was delighted when he found out the school was to receive an energy efficiency makeover.
“So many of our pupils are budding eco-enthusiasts, particularly when it comes to keeping a close eye on the school’s energy use, both pupils and teachers alike are thrilled with our energy efficiency upgrade.
“All the pupils involved in the Sea2Sky competition worked so hard on this project and we’re extremely proud to have so much ­creative talent here at ­Northampton National School,” Mr McDonagh commented.
Edwina White, development project manager at SSE Renewables, who made the presentation this week to the pupils, said, “Helping schools to use energy efficiently is crucial. At a time when we are all conscious of conserving energy to save money, these upgrades will not only help Northampton to make real and measurable improvements to their energy use and carbon output but will also help pupils to understand how a small effort on their part can bring about significant savings.”