Students powered by alternative energy

THE importance of innovation and creativity, so central to the Technologies Curriculum, is epitomised in the outstanding work in the Science Technologies Engineering and Maths (STEM) program being undertaken at Huonville High School.

Students from Huonville High, with project proponent and co-ordinator Nel Smit, prepared the winning submission for the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

They received their $130,000 award from this prestigious international competition in Abu Dhabi in January.

This annual award celebrates achievements that reflect impact, innovation, longterm vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability.

Huonville High was the Australian finalist and went on to win the award for the Oceania region. Its submission proposed the installation of additional solar panels with monitoring displays, a windmill and bio-digester and creating a pedal-powered cinema and charging station.

Students Zephryn Fox and Toby Thorpe travelled to Abu Dhabi to take part in the awards ceremony with schools from around the world.

Toby and Zephryn are leading the student team to implement the range of energy efficient innovations.

Ms Smit has been thrilled with the level community support the project has attracted. “People have been so generous with their time and skills to value-add to the project,” she said.

The school has also won an Inspiring Australia STEM Hub Grant. This will fund a number of community events focused on energy and sustainability. The first will be a workshop on July 26 with school, community and industry leaders to identify needs and opportunities for collaboration to support STEM in the Huon Valley.

Huonville High is a partner school in Energy Wise with Greening Australia and TasNetworks. This includes the development of curriculum units on the energy-integrating opportunities provided by Zayed.

Through Energy Wise, Greening Australia has been given funding to conduct “Maker Spaces” at Huonville High, focused on problem solving and energy.

Huonville High School principal Geoff Williamson said it was important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of students along with their supportive teachers.

“They are working so hard to create opportunities for creativity and innovation in renewable energy, linked to the STEM curriculum,” Mr Williamson said.

The school has developed a Facebook page that has attracted 300,000 visitors following students’ progress as they fulfil their project objectives.

Schools wishing to learn from the experience of Huonville High School and interested in developing their own STEM projects can contact Nel Smit at the school. www. zayedfutureenergyprize .com/en/ www. facebook. com/ ZayedHuonEnergyFuturesTeam/