Go online with Switched on Schools!

27 Jan 2010

Children across Northern Ireland can now go online to see how much renewable energy their local schools are generating! This week, the Switched on Schools programme, a renewable energy project funded by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland Electricity’s SMART programme and the Education and Library Boards, launched a new educational website for school children across Northern Ireland.

www.switchedonschools.co.uk is aimed at 7 to 14 year olds and has everything you need to know about renewable energy. Take a tour of the countryside with Ray Current and his dog Eddy to see where the natural energy resources are, or see if you know your solar energy from hydro power in the Have Some Fun section!

Gwyneth Compston, NIE Energy, says the website is fun and informative, and hopes it will encourage pupils across Northern Ireland to go online to find out more. Speaking at the launch Gwyneth said, “The Switched on Schools programme installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and renewable energy street lights at over 40 primary and secondary schools across Northern Ireland and these very practical educational tools are helping pupils to learn about the importance of sustainable energy sources. The website enables all schools in Northern Ireland, primary and secondary, to go online and learn about renewable energy and the natural resources all around us. They can also check to see how much electricity the schools with renewable technologies have generated and how much harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) has been saved.”

Kim McDonald, Project Officer from DARD is delighted to be associated with this project which was part funded through the EU Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity. “The development of this valuable website, which displays actual electricity generation information from the participating rural schools, has resulted in a very useful resource for all children to help them learn about the importance of renewable energy on a local and global scale.”

For more information check out the website at www.switchedonschools.co.uk

. . ENDS . .
Issued by:
Julia Carson, NIE Communications Manager
Northern Ireland Electricity Corporate Communications
Direct Dial: 028 9076 6859
NIE Medialine: 0845 300 3556

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