A little footprint in the right direction

Little future scientists from Cork recently had the opportunity to explore the human impact of climate change.

This was thanks to expert volunteers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of Science Week 2022 in November.

The volunteers guided 700 pupils in 4th and 5th class from around the country through climate change workshops, which were developed by Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) in partnership with the EPA.

Through hands-on activities, the students were shown how to analyse their carbon footprint and complete an energy audit of their classroom, allowing them to evaluate the human impact of their class. Once they understood their impact, the students then brainstormed ways to reduce their impact on climate change.

Programme Manager Stephen Fennell, an EPA volunteer, said: “It is inspirational to see the level of knowledge the students already have on this topic. It was so much fun. I may have gotten as much out of the experience as the students!”

The EPA environmental workshop is one of many opportunities afforded to students thanks to the EPA’s support of JAI since 2016. In that time, more than 200 EPA volunteers have reached 5,000 young people through Junior Achievement (JA) programmes designed to encourage young people to remain in education and help them to develop the skills they need to succeed in a changing world.