News

SNOWY HYDRO GOES NATIONAL WITH POWERING UP THE FUTURE COMPETITION

08/07/2024

Snowy Hydro’s annual science competition is going Australia-wide! For the first time, children across the nation can power up the future with their renewable energy ideas for the chance to win prizes valued up to $3,000.

The inaugural Powering up the Future Competition will continue Snowy Hydro’s commitment to fostering learning opportunities through the successful Snowy STEM Academy and its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Powering up the Future Competition asks students throughout Australia to be a Snowy Hydro ‘futurist’ and present a creative, innovative idea or invention that offers a solution to reduce emissions in a renewable world. The competition is open now and closes at midnight on Sunday 11 August 2024.

With a growing opportunity and demand for emerging careers, Snowy Hydro Group Executive Safety, People, Community and Services Gabrielle Curtin, said it was important to engage the workforce of tomorrow in STEM from a young age.

“Today’s children need to be prepared for the future. This competition is a great way to inspire young people to take a deep dive into innovative ideas and develop problem-solving skills that will transform the energy industry for generations to come,” Gabrielle said.

“It will help students learn more about renewables and energy emissions and hopefully spark their curiosity in STEM pathways.”

The Powering up the Future Competition calls on students in years 3 to 12 to investigate what a renewable energy future might look like and provide a solution for reducing energy emissions.

There are some fantastic prizes to be won, including overnight experiences at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, exploring Taronga’s Institute of Science and Learning immersive classrooms, STEM subscriptions and gift cards.

Entries for the Powering up the Future competition must be submitted on the official competition webpage. There are two age categories: Junior (aged 8 to 12 years old) and Senior (aged 13 to 18 years old).

An independent panel of esteemed and diverse community representatives will determine Judge’s Choice winners. In addition, members of the public will be able to vote online for their favourite entry for the Community Choice in each age category.

The winning entries will be displayed on the Snowy Hydro website and showcased at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.

For more details about the Powering up the Future Competition, including full terms and conditions, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/powering-up-the-future-competition/ or email the Snowy Hydro education team at snowystemacademy@snowyhydro.com.au

News

SNOWY HYDRO BOOSTS STEM EDUCATION IN 27 LOCAL SCHOOLS

04/06/2024

In 2024, thousands of students across 27 schools will benefit from Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund program. In its second year, the targeted funding is providing a substantial $220,265.83 across 18 locations in the Snowy Mountains and Cessnock regions of New South Wales.

As part of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to education, we are supporting a diverse range of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) initiatives in local schools.

Successful funding applications in 2024 include STEM-focused projects such as micro-bit and Smart City Kits, coding kits, a Solar Buddies program, plastics recycling initiatives, STEM excursions, VEX robotics clubs, equipment for race car design, STEM camps and excellence programs.

This year, responding to the resounding success of the 2023 program, Snowy Hydro is extending its STEM funding support to include schools in the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) near where our Hunter Power Project is located.

With this expansion, we now provide opportunities to schools within Towong, Snowy Valleys, Snowy Monaro, and Cessnock LGAs. This broader reach recognises Snowy Hydro’s commitment to fostering a strong STEM education environment, which is essential for preparing students for future careers in technology, engineering, and renewable energy.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the Local School STEM Fund provides opportunities for students to engage in real-world problem-solving that may otherwise not be possible in regional schools.

“We know the more opportunities we can provide for students to experience the hands-on application and diversity of STEM, the more they will appreciate the value of studying the relevant subjects,” Dennis said. “We want to encourage young people to pursue rewarding and fulfilling STEM careers.”

While only in its second year, the Local School STEM Fund has already encouraged collaboration among eligible schools, expanded individual initiatives, and developed local competitions. Snowy Hydro looks forward to fostering further growth and engagement in STEM-related fields, ensuring students have the skills and experiences necessary for their future success.

The next round of the Local School STEM Fund will open in early 2025.

For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/local-school-stem-fund/

Click here to read the Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund 2024 report.

News

SNOWY HYDRO SHOWCASES STEM CAREERS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS IN TALBINGO

09/04/2024

More than 60 local year 10 students have participated in a Snowy Hydro careers day at Talbingo and gained insights into exciting career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Students and teachers from Tumut High School and McAuley College took part in the Snowy STEM Academy initiative, working with engineers, climate scientists, and tradespeople to explore careers in the renewable energy sector.

The group went behind the scenes for an in-depth look at Australia’s largest pumped-hydro facility, Tumut 3 Power Station, and enjoyed a career panel with a question and answer discussion and hands-on activities.

Students also attended elective presentations based on their STEM interests and chose from drone technology, environmental science, trade skills, and engineering options. They even had the opportunity to operate a mini power station.

This STEM-focused initiative reinforced Snowy Hydro’s commitment to supporting regional education and developing the future workforce.

It showcased the diverse range of careers available in STEM fields, providing real-life tangible outcomes that will help students make informed decisions about their future education and career paths.

“We were excited to open our doors to local students and give them a glimpse into the world of renewable energy and STEM careers,” said Snowy Hydro Area Manager Peter Symons.

“Snowy Hydro is committed to supporting education and fostering the next generation of STEM professionals and tradespeople.”

Inviting students to experience a working power station aligns with the broader initiatives of the Snowy STEM Academy, which aims to bridge the gap between education and industry, preparing students for future opportunities in the renewable energy sector.Snowy Hydro encourages interested teachers and parents to find out more about the Snowy STEM Academy, by visiting www.snowyhydro.com.au/snowystemacademy.

News

SNOWY HYDRO STEM FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS NOW AVAILABLE

19/02/2024

Following the success of the inaugural Snowy Hydro Local School STEM Fund in 2023, the funding program focused on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) excursions will run again in 2024. Snowy Hydro will extend the opportunity for Snowy Mountains and Cessnock schools to apply for grants of up to $10,000.

Recognising that today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, Snowy Hydro plays a pivotal role in supporting teachers and students by aligning educational programs with industry expertise.

Last year these grants provided thousands of students and 18 Snowy Mountains schools – primary and secondary, both public and private – hands-on interactive STEM experiences.

The program is part of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to local regions, which already supports various STEM initiatives, including a First Nations Science Camp, the development of a robotics club, 3D printers, an aquaponics project and the enhancement of school resources for the next generation of innovators.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said: “Snowy is dedicated to fostering education opportunities in and out of the classroom and assisting in developing career pathways.
“The funding is just one example of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to education and development in support of STEM, particularly among our local communities.”

The funding program complements Snowy’s successful Snowy STEM Academy, the annual Science of the Snowy Scheme Competition, and the unique tailored programs for local schools.

Applications for the 2024 Local School STEM fund open Monday 26 February and must be lodged by Monday 25 March.

Local schools can apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) related excursions, student sponsorship, equipment, and camps.

All applications must be completed online via the Snowy Hydro website.

For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM fund and to apply visit: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/local-school-stem-fund-2024/

News

STUDENTS FLOCK TO COUNTRY UNIVERSITIES CENTRES

30/11/2022

New data from the 2021 census has revealed that Country Universities Centres (CUCs) are leading the way in university student growth across regional NSW.

Over the past five years, university student numbers in NSW towns with CUCs grew by 24.7% compared with an average 5.4% for all non-metropolitan areas.

Snowy Hydro co-founded the very first CUC in Cooma in 2013 and remains an integral supporter of the higher education centre by jointly funding it together with Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

The CUC initiative enables regional and rural university students to study close to home in a campus-like environment with learning facilities, technology including access to computers, wifi, printers, video conferencing and support staff.

Snowy Hydro Acting CEO Roger Whitby said the long-running Cooma CUC partnership continues to be highly successful.

“CUCs are helping to stop the brain drain – they allow regional students to stay in their communities, have access to tertiary education in a supportive environment and ultimately provide local employers, including Snowy Hydro, with qualified workers,” Mr Whitby said.

“Typically there is a high drop-out rate with people studying online courses because they can feel isolated, so the CUC offers real benefits.”

Cooma has seen a university student increase of 64% over the last two census periods (2011-2021), compared with an average 17.5% for non-metro NSW.

Following the success of the Cooma CUC pilot, a further five centres opened in Broken Hill, Goulburn, Grafton, Griffith/Leeton and Narrabri/Moree in 2018-19.

The network of centres has since grown to 20 regional communities across NSW, Queensland and Victoria with the additional support of the NSW Government and the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment through the Regional University Centres program.

Find out more about Snowy Hydro’s partnership with Country Universities Centre: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/ourpartners/country-universities-centre/

Students studying at university by locality

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census data

CUC locations and year of opening	Increase 2011-2021	Increase 2016-2021
Cooma (2013)	* 64.1%
Broken Hill (2018)		22.8%
Goulburn (2018)		18.4%
Grafton (2019)		32.3%
Griffith and Leeton (2019)		33.8%
Narrabri and Moree (2019)		16.0%
CUC centre average increase		24.7%
NSW university students – non-metro	17.5%	5.4%

*Only the Cooma CUC was operating during the 2016 Census.

News

DRIVING HOME ROAD SAFETY TO THE NEXT GENERATION

13/05/2022

Snowy Hydro is committed to ensuring the next generation of locals are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help keep them safe on the roads, with the long-running Young Driver Program playing a crucial role.

For four years Snowy Hydro has partnered with Driving Solutions to provide local students with young driver training. This month more than 275 local young people participated in the program, which helps prepare Learner and Provisional drivers for the driving conditions they face on Snowy Mountains roads.

Since its inception in 2002, the Snowy Hydro Young Driver Program has provided more than 1,600 local students with the opportunity to improve their driving skills and become safer drivers.

Snowy Hydro CEO and Managing Director Paul Broad said the program demonstrated Snowy Hydro’s continued commitment to the safety and well-being of young people living in the Snowy Mountains region.

“The Snowy Hydro Young Driver Program delivers learning exercises and activities that give our local kids the skills and knowledge to help keep them safe on our unique and at times, challenging, mountain roads,” Mr Broad said.

“These young and inexperienced drivers gain so much from the program – it’s really valuable and we at Snowy Hydro are proud to play a part in ensuring greater safety on the roads where we live and work.”

The program covered topics such as correct seating position and the importance of understanding the difference between vehicles with anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and vehicles without ABS. Students were taught when to fit snow chains on their vehicles while travelling in snow and ice conditions. They were also shown the correct way to use and fit snow chains on a vehicle.
The activities and exercises provided useful and practical knowledge to assist the students when behind the wheel. Topics included driver attitudes and the effects of distractions when driving, such as mobile phones, passengers and vehicle navigation. Other practical skills were also discussed including how to understand correct and incorrect tyre pressure on their vehicles.

News

National Science Week Competition

14/08/2017

‘The Science of Snowy’

As part of National Science Week this year, Snowy Hydro is running a ‘Science of the Snowy’ competition for Snowy Mountains students in years 3-6.

Paul Broad, Chief Executive Officer, said that National Science Week was a great opportunity for students to learn more about the science and engineering aspects of the Snowy Scheme.

“The construction of the Snowy Scheme was one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world and from our pioneering past, we have grown into a modern and innovative energy company,” Mr Broad said.

To enter the competition just tell us your favourite science, technology or engineering fact about the Snowy Scheme. Your entry can be in words, pictures, a drawing or even a video.

Mr Broad said his favourite fact is that the Snowy Scheme acts like Australia’s biggest battery.

“While the Snowy Scheme may not look like a typical battery, it acts just like one. In the same way as a battery stores energy, the Snowy Scheme stores water which can be quickly used to create energy when it’s needed”, Mr Broad said.

Each winner will get two tickets to a VIP tour of the Snowy Scheme (including a power station) with some of Snowy Hydro’s very own scientists and engineers.

All winning and highly commended entries will also be displayed in the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.

The competition is open to students at schools within the Snowy Valleys Council and Snowy Monaro Regional Council regions and in years 3-6.

The ‘Science of the Snowy’ competition opens on 14 August 2017 and closes at 5pm on 22 September 2017. An independent panel of judges will select the winners, with the panel to be announced shortly.

For more information on how to enter and some Snowy Hydro topic ideas visit our NSWk competition page here