NI primary school student wins OFTEC Energy Enterprise award

Matthew Nelson (aged 9) from St Macartan's Primary School has won the OFTEC Energy Enterprise competition with a creative energy efficiency project.

OFTEC, the trade association for the oil heating industry in UK and Ireland, recently ran a competition inviting students in primary 5 classes across Northern Ireland to submit ideas for improving energy efficiency in the home. The overall Energy Enterprise competition winner has been announced as Matthew Nelson from St Macartan's Primary School.

Matthew’s winning entry to the competition pointed out all of the opportunities to increase energy efficiency inthe home, such as turning down the thermostat, switching off electronics in standby mode, closing doors to keep in heat, and switching lightbulbs to more efficient energy-saving bulbs.

Over 150 entries were submitted to the competition, and four other pupils were shortlisted for the award in addition to Matthew: Hollie-Rose Lee (aged 9) from Mossley Primary School, Izzie Molloy (age 9) from St Macartan’s Primary School, Sochi Okoli (aged 8) from Botanic Primary School, and Sophie McClenanghan (aged 9) from St Macartan’s Primary School. The shortlisted winners were all given a professional Crayola artist set, and Matthew won a school trip for his class to the W5 science park in Belfast.

OFTEC Ireland Manager David Blevings congratulated Matthew, saying "Matthew’s winning competition entry is fantastic. He has taken such care in attention to detail, both in his colouring, and in his understanding of what it takes to make a home energy efficient. His knowledge that energy efficiency is important as it saves the earth is something we should all take into consideration, looking at the bigger global picture when it comes to the future of energy."

Source: Written based on press release