Across most industries in Tasmania and abroad, demand for STEM expertise is soaring. Our clever teams apply STEM skills daily to keep the lights on, and continue leading Australia’s switch to renewable energy. Yet, the challenge still lies in bridging the gap between the demand for these skills and the number of students pursuing STEM subjects, especially among young girls.  

Are you a parent or a teacher? Get stuck into our free learning resources for primary and secondary students at www.hydro.com.au/education!

As the world races towards net zero emissions and a reduced dependence on fossil fuels, the role of renewable energy - and those who work in the industry - is critical. 

Generation Hydro emerged in 2017, unleashing the full force of Hydro Tasmania's resources to electrify the minds of primary and secondary school students about the wonders of STEM. In nurturing Tasmanian children’s potential, they can discover a world of opportunity to shape a sustainable future.  

"We want kids to understand, appreciate, and get excited by our renewable generation history, what’s happening right now, and what the future looks like,” says Education Officer, Gina Loewen. But that's not all – we are determined to break down barriers for young girls, ensuring they not only can envision a future in engineering, but understand the pathway to transform that dream into reality. Generation Hydro is just the beginning of our mission to foster greater female participation in STEM, cultivating the next generation of women in science. 

Get hands-on with Generation Hydro

Prepare for a hands-on adventure! Our Generation Hydro Team has crafted a spectrum of interactive and fun activities, all designed to spark interest (pun intended!). From curriculum-aligned lesson plans unravelling the mysteries of renewable energy for teachers to utilise, to 3D-printed models where kids can see up-close how hydropower generates clean energy from water – we are on a mission to showcase the magic of STEM in action. These activities go beyond textbooks, putting student’s lessons into real-world context. 

"Research shows that young people learn differently when they participate, hands-on…" 

Generation Hydro lesson plans for both primary and secondary students are available for free download. Teachers can also request our Generation Hydro team to come into the classroom for a class talk, or organise an exclusive power station tour for their students! Getting inside a working hydropower station is not something everyone gets to do, and we love being able to provide exciting excursions for Tasmanian students.  

Our program is designed to empower Tasmania’s amazing teachers, where they can select what works best for their students and schools, providing primary and secondary education resources that align seamlessly with their curriculum.  

“Students get to solve problems, build and make things, succeed and fail, laugh.” 

“They're natural problem solvers, and I love to imagine some of them in renewable energy careers because of that day they built a turbine out of a yogurt container,” says Gina.  

Dive into our Generation Hydro website at www.hydro.com.au/education, where you can download free resources, book a classroom session or power station tour for your class, and join us in powering education for the future! If you’d like to speak directly with our Education Officers, contact them at education@hydro.com.au.