Dundalk students win top honours in national Weather Watch competition
St Vincent's students claimed the Best Overall Video prize after impressing judges
Students from St Vincent's Secondary School have been recognised nationally after winning the Best Overall Video category in the ESB Networks’ Weather Watch Schools Programme student video competition.
The competition formed part of this year's Weather Watch Schools Programme, which reached more than 15,000 students across 183 secondary schools nationwide. The programme helps students understand the relationship between weather patterns, renewable electricity generation and electricity use through classroom learning and real-time weather monitoring.
St Vincent's Secondary School was recognised for the creativity and innovation demonstrated in its student video, with the competition celebrating excellence in scientific understanding, communication and engagement with renewable electricity and sustainability.
St Vincent's Secondary School congratulated the students, saying: “The class presented current and upcoming weather conditions while explaining how weather impacts renewable energy generation and electricity use.
“The project encouraged creativity, data analysis and climate awareness, helping students make meaningful connections between weather patterns and sustainable energy.
“Congratulations to Alejandra López, Cliodhna Reilly, Isla Henry, Jenny Wogan, Leah Enright, Sarah Matthews and Siofra Halfpenny, who were awarded Best Overall Video in this national competition. A fantastic achievement for the students involved and their teacher Ms C O’Hagan.”
Aisling Walsh Customer and Strategy Manager at ESB Networks, said:
"On behalf of ESB Networks, I'd like to congratulate the students and teachers at St Vincent's Secondary School on winning the "Best Overall Video” category in this year's Weather Watch Schools Programme student video competition.
It is encouraging to see so many students developing a better understanding of renewable electricity while also applying what they have learned in their daily lives and sharing those learnings with their families and communities.
“Programmes like Weather Watch support ESB Networks' Net Zero strategy by helping build awareness of how Ireland's electricity system is changing and the role everyone can play in supporting a cleaner, more sustainable energy future."
ESB says results from this year's Weather Watch Schools Programme also demonstrated significant improvements in students' understanding and awareness of renewable electricity.
- Student knowledge scores increased by 16% following participation in the programme.
- Awareness of renewable electricity and energy use increased by 16%.
- 85% of students recognised the direct link between weather conditions and renewable electricity generation.
- 75% reported changing their own electricity-related behaviours after taking part in the programme.
They also say the programme also demonstrated a positive impact beyond the classroom, with 95% of households adopting energy-saving behaviours influenced by participating students, highlighting the role young people can play in encouraging conversations about energy use at home.