Climate science brought to life in Mayo classrooms
THIS week, as part of Climate Action Week, and with funding from Mayo County Council, the Lough Carra Catchment Association (LCCA) brought climate science to life for pupils at St. Mary’s NS, Partry, and Holy Angels NS, Clogher, through the event Lough Carra Climate Classrooms: Watching the Weather, Caring for the Lake, which included the presentation of solar-powered weather stations to both schools.
Earlier this year, these pupils had taken part in LCCA classroom talks and visited Lough Carra for pond-dipping sessions, giving them hands-on experience of the lake and its unique ecology. The new weather stations will allow students to monitor rainfall throughout the year, linking classroom learning to real-world environmental data.
"By monitoring rainfall themselves, students can see how weather changes over time and learn about the lake and its environment in a hands-on way," said Joanne McGovern, education and awareness officer for the Lough Carra Catchment Association. "Rainfall directly impacts the lake, influencing groundwater, rivers, and flow of nutrients into the lake.
“The lake is also a drinking water source for people on group water schemes in the catchment, so rainfall levels will have a direct impact. Drought periods, like those experienced this summer, can expose the lake’s marl-coated rocks, cause localised warming, and even trigger toxic algal blooms.
“The data collected by the schools will also support Geological Survey Ireland and the Lough Carra LIFE Project in understanding these changes along with planning for future climate impacts."
To complement the installations, a poster competition invited pupils to illustrate what they learned and enjoyed during their pond-dipping trips earlier this year. Entries are displayed in both schools and at Castlebar Library, with nature-themed prizes awarded to celebrate the children’s creativity.
This initiative combined hands-on STEM learning, environmental observation, and climate awareness, leaving an educational resource in the schools while helping young learners understand the connection between weather, water, and ecological health in their own locality.
More information on the Lough Carra Catchment Association can be found at loughcarra.org, and details of the Climate Action Week event are available at climateactionweek.ie.