Young Tasmanians get energy-wise

At the launch of the Energy Wise Resource Kit. L-R: Kirstan Wilding (TasNetworks), Nel Smit and Jonathan Duddles (Greening Australia), Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Primary Industry Guy Barnett.

Saturday 30 March saw the exciting launch of the new Energy Wise educational program and resource kit for Year 7 and 8 students in Tasmania. A collaboration between Greening Australia and TasNetworks, the state-owned energy supplier, Energy Wise aims to equip the next generation of energy consumers with the knowledge to make better decisions about their energy management, and develop a greater understanding of imminent energy challenges and opportunities.

Energy Wise was presented to attendees at the Tasmanian Science Teachers Conference in Launceston by Nel Smit, Education Coordinator and Jonathan Duddles, Director of Development, both from Greening Australia. They were joined by Tasmania’s Minister for Energy and Primary Industry Guy Barnett and Kirstan Wilding, leader of Corporate Social Responsibility at TasNetworks.

Greening Australia and TasNetworks have worked collaboratively for three years to produce the educational resources. On the launch of Energy Wise, Kirstan Wilding said: “TasNetworks supports community initiatives that make a difference to Tasmania, and education is a key focus for us. Supporting STEM learning in Tasmanian schools helps us solve the problems of the future electric world with kids of today. “

With the energy landscape in Australia and around the world rapidly transforming, energy supply and generation is getting smarter and cleaner, and bringing with it more choice and control for consumers. In addition, the way we are charged for electricity is changing. Energy Wise aims to increase the understanding of these changes, the nature and role of energy in our lives and how young Tasmanians can use this understanding to better meet their future energy needs.

Greening Australia developed collaboratively by Greening Australia, with support from Department of Education curriculum officers and Tasmanian energy experts. Nel was awarded Tasmanian STEM teacher of the year for in recognition of her work.  Energy Wise consists of resources for in-class lessons, teacher professional development sessions, the establishment of the energy learning hub at the Sustainability Learning Centre in Hobart and a mobile learning display.

Greening Australia is based at the Sustainability Learning Centre in Hobart. The Centre is a 6 Green-Star energy-efficient building, initiated by Greening Australia that aligns with our values in promoting sustainability, and people and nature thriving. The partnership with TasNetworks has given Greening Australia the opportunity to support schools in promoting sustainability as a cross-curriculum priority and recognising the interdependence of healthy social, economic and ecological systems.
 

Learn more about Energy Wise