University helps to create children’s book about offshore renewable energy

The themes of the book have been developed in response to an equality, diversity and inclusion scoping study by the Supergen ORE Hub (@PlymUni).

It reported that by the time children reach primary school (usually aged 5), they often have a firm idea of their place in the world – making this an important stage to tackle diversity issues. It also found that books are important in the formation of how children see themselves in the world.

Gaia’s Energy Adventure! aims to break through this barrier by portraying the main character as a young girl of ethnic minority origin. She explores the engineering and environmental aspects of offshore renewable energy, and learns how these technologies can play a vital role in ensuring a clean and sustainable energy mix for the future.

Dr Jim Fleming, Head of Energy at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, said:

“The EPSRC embeds equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, ensuring that the activities we support and the research that we fund drives change in our community, and supports a system that is inclusive for everyone. We are delighted to see the Supergen ORE Hub produce this children’s book which supports this important part of our work, whilst also sharing engineering research in offshore renewable technologies.”