Do you have a bold and innovative idea that will help build a world run on renewable energy? It doesn’t matter if your idea is big or small, local or global – we want to hear from you!
Snowy Hydro’s national science competition is back for 2025, asking kids and teenagers across the country to consider how they would help to build a future powered by renewable energy – with the most innovative and creative ideas winning prizes for both the inventor and their school.
The Powering Up the Future competition continues Snowy Hydro’s commitment to enhancing access to STEM learning opportunities through the Snowy STEM Academy and its focus on inspiring young Australians to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
With four major category prizes for both winners and runners up, the Powering Up the Future competition asks students nationwide to be a Snowy Hydro ‘futurist’ and invent a bold new idea, technology or system that helps save or reuse energy to lower emissions as Australia transitions to a renewable energy future.
Snowy Hydro Education Manager Andrew Burke 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 and this competition is a fantastic way to inspire them to think creatively and develop their problem-solving skills, while considering ideas that will transform the energy industry for generations to come.
“Students will walk away from the competition with more knowledge about renewables and energy transmission, and we hope it will spark their curiosity about a future in STEM.”
The Powering Up the Future Competition calls on students who are in years 3 to 12, aged 8+, to think big or small, global or local. If it helps to build a world that runs on renewable energy, the Snowy STEM Academy wants to see it.
Students can take part on their own, or work with their class for a chance to win prizes such as a class set of robots, 3D printers, and STEM kit subscriptions. The competition opens on 4 August, and closes at midnight on 28 September 2025.
The winning entries will be displayed on the Snowy Hydro website and showcased for the public at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.
For more details, including the full terms and conditions, visit www.snowyhydro.com.au/poweringup/