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Western Power in search for next-generation energy innovators

Justin BianchiniEastern Reporter

WESTERN Power is again looking for the next round of dreamers, thinkers, makers and innovators to create our energy future…but this year will be bigger and smaller all at the same time.

Now entering its third year of encouraging students in years 4 to 6 in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program, Western Power’s Circuit Breakers is gearing up and looking for interested schools.

The initiative has been growing in momentum over the past two years, with previous participants still enjoying the spark of creativity left from participation in the program.

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Circuit Breakers program manager Paul Farina said Western Power will again be supplying mentoring and support to challenge students to think beyond the textbook and help bridge the gap between imagination and reality.

“We want to unleash the inner engineer in students and have them thinking about how they can build a network that works for them and their community,” Mr Farina said

“This year each school will also receive sets of Micro:bit pocket sized computers so students can build and operate a working network of their own along with $1000 for classrooms to create a dedicated working space for STEM projects.”

Micro:bit pocket sized computers were originally developed by the British Broadcasting Commission as an open source piece of computer hardware designed for use in computer education in the UK.

“This tiny piece of technology is the next incarnation of circuit breakers as it will literally bring the students imagination to life and are interconnectable, so kids can start to see how their idea connects to the bigger energy solution picture,” Mr Farina said.

“A total of 30 schools from communities across our network will be chosen to be part of the 10-week science, technology, engineering and mathematics program. The hands-on learning initiative is open to primary school students in years 4, 5 and 6.”

Schools can apply to be part of the program through the Western Power website by completing a short, five-question application form, to secure one of the 30 places available to eligible schools.

Applications close June 2.

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