High School Students Explore STEM and Clean Energy Careers 

Congratulations to the 26 secondary students that completed the 2022 FWEE Hydropower and STEM Academy. Click here for photo album of students at the Academy. 

In a world thirsty for clean energy and a carbon-free future, these students honed their STEM skills and engaged with engineers, operators, environmental managers, cyber security managers, project managers and others to glean the breadth of career opportunities that could be theirs. With our friends from higher education and labor, they also received coaching on the pathways available to make these careers a reality.  

The Academy was hosted by Chelan PUD at Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center. Over the course of the week, students engaged in 11 modules that were a mix of hands-on learning (e.g., building functioning hydropower models and solar power race cars), facility tours, meeting with professionals and operators, and mapping out career opportunities.  

In a testament to “pay it forward,” 25 presenters volunteered their time to support activities. Embedded in activities were presenters telling their career story. “This type of authenticity,” said Chelan PUD Visitor Services Manager Kristin Lodge, “is invaluable. Watching the students soak it up and engage was very impressive.” 

In the words of one of the students, “The hands-on activities were great. It was also really cool to learn about the other careers and talk to experienced people.” 

Said Sheila Corson, FWEE Board President and Okanogan PUD Public Relations Coordinator, “Joining the hydropower industry in sponsoring the Academy was Microsoft’s TechSpark program. They share our passion for connecting students to a future filled with possibility and innovation.” 

To learn more about the Academy, visit www.fwee.org/academy.