The festival featured more than 30 stalls over two days where people could create, build and learn about a range of science, tech, engineering and math (STEM) related fields.  

Manager of Engagement Programs, Sarah Metcalf, said events like FOBI were very important for Hydro Tasmania to attend and sponsor, as an industry that relies on a STEM workforce.

“Our stall at FOBI was a huge success, we had so many young people really engaging and experimenting with different turbines, testing how many volts their wind turbine could produce," she said.

“Tasmania has challenges with low rates of school completion and STEM uptake in senior high school. Building STEM understanding from a young age is critical for students’ ability to solve problems and understand the world around them."

To help address this, Generation Hydro also visits schools across Tasmania bringing hydropower and renewable energy into classrooms through interactive lessons and curriculum aligned resources.  

We also offer free power station tours so primary and secondary school children can see up close how renewable energy happens.

“Our Generation Hydro program aims to engage and inspire Tasmanian students to take up STEM subjects at school and hopefully spark interest in STEM careers, like those at Hydro Tasmania, when they grow up," Ms Metcalf said.

We also run a program particularly aimed at encouraging women to engage in STEM as women make up a lower percentage of the STEM workforce in Tasmania compared to men.

Our Girls in Power program for year 9 and 10 female students give them the ability to see what a career in STEM might look like, aiming to encourage and inspire young girls to take more STEM classes in year 11 and 12.

Hydro Tasmania has been attending Festival of Bright Ideas and other National Science Week events around the state since 2019 and became the STEM Champion sponsor in 2025.

Hydro supporting education and career pathways

The festival follows the signing of a new strategic collaboration agreement between Hydro Tasmania and the University of Tasmania.  

The two pillar organisations of Tasmania will continue to support the state to become a global leader in sustainability.

Through research, innovation and education, the teams will continue to exchange talent, equipment and expertise to make this partnership deliver for the planet at a time where a climate crisis is putting pressure on communities and environments.  

We are continuing to support our island state and help build a more resilient Tasmania that thrives into the future.