Roadshow empowers Galway pupils to demonstrate green credentials!
Students at one of Galway’s biggest schools took time out to explore the connection between weather patterns and renewable electricity generation through live demonstrations and challenges last week.
The pupils from Clarin College in Athenry were participating in the ESB Networks’ Weather Watch School Roadshow, an innovative educational initiative for Junior Cycle and Transition Year Geography students linking weather patterns to renewable energy generation in an engaging and educational way.
The roadshow was facilitated by broadcaster and entrepreneur Áine Kerr, alongside STEM influencer Caoimhe Ní Mhuircheartaigh. More commonly known as the TikTok teacher, Caoimhe is, by day, a biology and chemistry teacher at Maynooth Community College.
Both of the facilitators guided the students through a lively and informative session connecting classroom learning to real-world applications.
Students at Clarin College – one of four schools chosen across the country – participated in an interactive Weather Watch School Roadshow designed to bring Ireland’s electricity networks to life through real data, practical demonstrations and open discussion.
The session featured a live myth-busting exercise, where students challenged common assumptions about climate and electricity, followed by a fireside chat exploring questions such as how renewable energy works in practice, and how Irish weather systems directly influence electricity generation.
By combining expert insight with an engaging and interactive format, we are helping to build the everyday awareness needed to support Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable electric future
Aisling Walsh, Customer & Strategy Manager at ESB Networks, said they were delighted to see the enthusiasm of the students in understanding how Ireland’s weather shapes our renewable electricity system.
“By combining expert insight with an engaging and interactive format, we are helping to build the everyday awareness needed to support Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable electric future,” she said.
The Weather Watch School Roadshow builds on the success of the broader ESB Networks Weather Watch Schools Programme, which equips schools with educational materials and practical tools to explore the link between weather and electricity generation and saw 180 schools participate this year.
The programme was also rolled out at Kingswood Community College, Dublin; Hazelwood College in Limerick, and the Presentation Secondary School in Tralee.
The initiative supports ESB Networks’ Is This a Good Time? campaign, encouraging more mindful electricity use and greater awareness of how daily choices impact the national electricity network.
By combining scientific expertise with focused engagement, the roadshow aims to foster informed, energy-conscious behaviours among students and extend those conversations into homes and communities.
The Weather Watch Roadshow, which is designed for Junior Cycle and Transition Year Geography students, also serves as a way of highlighting the important work ESB Networks is undertaking to upgrade the electricity network across Ireland.
These ongoing upgrades are essential to support growing levels of renewable generation, increased electrification, and rising demand.