API x Solar Buddy: Inspiring the next generation of power engineers
Through our partnership with Solar Buddy, API members can use hands-on solar light building activities to engage school students and highlight the vital role that power engineers play in providing safe, reliable electricity to communities.
​​Each year, API makes a limited number of Junior Buddy Kits available free-of-charge to member organisations for school outreach in the first half of the year. These kits are ideal for STEM days, careers sessions and community engagement programs.
What is a Junior Buddy Kit
Each Junior Buddy Kit includes everything you need to run an engaging classroom activity that connects energy access, engineering and social impact.
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Each kit contains:
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25 solar lights for students to assemble
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Educational materials that reinforce energy access, engineering and social impact
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Resources to support your staff or volunteers to deliver the session
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Each member organisation can access one kit. Depending on demand, a second kit may be available.
Power Ambassadors and child safety
We strongly recommend that any staff or volunteers delivering a Junior Buddy activity register as API Power Ambassadors.
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Power Ambassadors:
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Complete API child safety and safeguarding training
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Gain access to ready-to-use outreach resources
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Join a community of professionals who are passionate about inspiring young people into power careers
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If your organisation already has Power Ambassadors, they are ideal leads for your Solar Buddy outreach. New team members can register online at any time
How member organisations can get involved
If your organisation would like to request a Junior Buddy Kit for outreach activities between January and June, simply complete the short Expression of Interest form. Kits are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited numbers.
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You might also like to align your activity with national events, such as:
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National Careers Week in May
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International Women in Engineering Day in June
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National Science Week in August
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Electricity Safety Week in September
Talk to us
If you have questions about Junior Buddy Kits, Power Ambassadors or how this fits into your organisation’s outreach plans, the API team is happy to help.
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Together, we can support the next generation of energy professionals and inspire young Australians through real-world, hands-on engineering experiences.