Sparking curiosity and safety with Bright Sparks
For over two decades, Tasmanian students have been learning an important lesson: electricity is incredible and essential… but something we should always treat with care.
Bright Sparks is a free electrical safety program delivered to primary-aged students across Tasmania through hands-on classroom sessions, community events and take-home resources. And while the program is packed with fun activities, our goal is serious: helping young Tasmanians understand electricity and stay safe around it.
“Electricity is such a fundamental part of everyday life, but it can also be dangerous if people don’t understand it,” explains Anita, TasNetworks’ Community Engagement Coordinator.
“Bright Sparks was created to help children recognise those risks and know what to do if something goes wrong.”
Bright Sparks began long before TasNetworks existed. It was originally born by Aurora Energy and has now been running for around 23 years! During that time, the program has travelled across the state to schools, libraries, homeschool groups, vacation care programs and major events like Agfest and the Festival of Bright Ideas.
The motivation behind it is simple: Tasmania’s electricity network stretches everywhere, across backyards, farms, towns and remote bushland. Storms, bushfires and floods can damage infrastructure and create real risks for the community. So, teaching electrical safety early can make a lasting difference.
“We want children to understand the dangers of electricity both inside and outside the home,” Anita says. “If they know what to do around fallen powerlines, for example, that knowledge can genuinely save lives.”
One of the things that makes Bright Sparks stand out from traditional classroom lessons is its hands-on approach. Students experiment with real-world equipment they recognise: phone chargers, power boards, appliances and electrical tools.
In a Bright Sparks session, students form a “human circuit” using an energy stick, compare different voltage levels, or practise the surprisingly memorable technique of ‘kangaroo hopping’ away from a fallen powerline. The sessions often spark curiosity far beyond the original lesson.
“It might look a bit silly,” admits Anita, “but the science behind it is very real. And the kids never forget it!”
“Once they start learning about electricity, they have so many questions.”
Tasmania has some of the lowest literacy and numeracy rates in Australia, which can make complex written safety information difficult for some households to engage with. So Bright Sparks takes a different approach, using simple language, visual resources and something children are famously good at: pester power.
Students take materials home and often become safety champions within their own families. “That’s where we see real impact. Kids start reminding people not to charge devices on soft surfaces, not to use damaged cords, or to stay well away from powerlines.”
While safety is the priority, the program also opens the door to something bigger: STEM and the future energy workforce. Australia is currently facing shortages of jobs like engineers and lineworkers, and the transition to renewable energy will require even more skilled people.
Programs like Bright Sparks help students see how electricity connects to everyday life, from phones and fridges to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. And, just as importantly, they meet the people behind it!
The Bright Sparks ‘presenters’ who host sessions in Tasmanian primary schools are TasNetworks employees from across the organisation. Two presenters – Philip (Senior Telecommunications Technical Officer) and Paul (Substations Operator) – have been part of Team TasNetworks from the start.
“I enjoy being part of Bright Sparks because I feel like I’m making a real difference. No two classes are the same, which is an exciting challenge,” Philip says.
“I didn’t realise how important the program was until I started presenting. Electricity can be a dangerous if you don’t understand the risks, and often the adults in the room tend to pick up a few tips as well!”
“Some of the conversations we have with classrooms are quite funny, and some on the more serious side. There’s no better feeling than having a really engaged group of kids, and you know you’ve made a difference to their knowledge about electrical safety,” Paul says.
“I love being part of a child’s light-bulb moment!” Anita agrees.
As Tasmania’s energy system continues to evolve with the growth of renewable energy, it’s more important than ever to build knowledge and confidence in the next generation of STEM leaders.
“Supporting Tasmanian students to know they could work in an industry like ours one day is so rewarding.”
Judging by the amount of kangaroo hopping happening in classrooms across the state, the future looks pretty bright! Go Team Bright Sparks!
Want to bring Bright Sparks to your classroom?
Visit the Bright Sparks page to learn more about the program, download free resources and book a session!