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Six girls in Ireland stand up for the environment withlasting impact on local businesses and the communityYou feel a strong energy vibe when reading the ‘Generation Green’ competition submissionfrom Presentation Secondary School. Olivia O’Brien, science teacher, and the six girls whosubmitted the project let their ideas run free. “We noticed that a local supermarket had installedsolar panels and bought an electric van for deliveries so we decided to approach them abouttheir energy consumption. It snowballed from there,” says Olivia. The girls began researchingalternative energy types and approached other local businesses about cost-effective, energyefficient solutions.A local fuel merchant was among one of the many business leaders who listened to the girls’arguments. He is now selling eco-briquettes made from elephant grass alongside traditionalsolutions such as coal and gas. “The interaction with the world outside of school gave thegirls a lot of confi dence. It taught them how to approach and interact with adults, encouragedinvestigative thinking and it improved their time management and IT skills,” adds Olivia.A highlight of the project was an ‘energyawareness night’. Dressed in glamorousdresses made from foil, recycled fabricsand other sustainable materials the girls’fashion show drew a large crowd. As didthe electric car that the team persuadedRenault to lend for test driving.“Many jobs will be created in thesustainability sector. This project reallyencourages pupils to think about furtherstudies and careers in the area of theenvironment,”Olivia O’Brien, teacher.So impressive was interest in the electric car and Olivia’s support for her pupils’ project, thatthe Electricity Supply Board gave Olivia an electric car for her personal use. This has providedher students, colleagues and others with an opportunity to test drive an e-car and learn moreabout them.78