Local projects highlighted by ECO-UNESCO for Earth Day

Young Environmentalist Awards projects from local schools have been highlighted by EXO-UNESCO for Earth Day.

Six Westmeath schools are among 102 finalists from across the island of Ireland to have succeeded at the semi-final ‘ECO-Dens’ stages of the YEAs last month, and will now go on to showcase their shortlisted eco-projects at the YEAs this year.

‘What can Athlone learn? Ardnagrath's Green Team returns!’, a project from Ard Na gCraith National School, Athlone, is through to the Waste Category of the awards.

This project focused on littering around Athlone town. The young people met with local councillors to discuss the issue, highlighting litter blackspots and the number of public waste bins.

They researched waste management practices in cities worldwide and, inspired by the Re-turn Scheme, designed and built a prototype bin capable of sorting litter into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

'A system to test and develop low-cost eco-friendly energy storage materials’, a project from Athlone Community College, is through to the Energy Category of the awards.

The project involved developing low-cost heat storage items in a bid to conserve energy and increase sustainability.

The group of young people used a Raspberry Pi 3 device to automate testing, showcasing their work within the school. The project highlighted the environmental benefits of heat storage over electric batteries and encouraged critical thinking and innovation in addressing global energy challenges.

Further information about the Young Environmentalist Awards is available online here.