Activities & services

The RoboCupJunior competition is a project based education initiative that gives young students an opportunity to better understand and harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics research. Primary school students are given a problem which they can solve through integrating a diverse range of technologies. The University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment hosts the Newcastle Regional RoboCupJunior competition.

Date: 1 August 2013

Available for: Primary school students

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, The Forum

Contact: Ryan Jeffery, (02) 4921 7997

Female students from years 10 to 12 and staff are invited to the University of Newcastle’s Women in Engineering High Tea. This event is one of many organised by the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment to support female students who are planning to pursue careers in engineering and building. The day is an excellent opportunity to share experiences, hear inspirational stories and establish support networks.

Available for: Years 10 to 12

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, EF122

Contact: Jenny Taylor, (02) 4921 7840

Students are invited on-campus to take part in a lego mind storm activity with University of Newcastle postgraduate students and academic staff. The aim of the activity is to give students a view into the world of electrical engineering.

Date: Upon request

Available for: Years 10-12

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Contact: Jenny Taylor, (02) 4921 7840

High school students have the opportunity to be amazed by an exhibition of final year works from University of Newcastle students completing degrees in electrical, computer and telecommunications engineering. The projects are a representation of the talent, knowledge and technical skills gained through these degrees.

Date: TBC

Available for: Years 9 to 12

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Contact: Jenny Taylor, (02) 4921 7840

Students and teachers are invited to the University of Newcastle to experience the exciting field of mechatronics engineering, which combines skills from mechanical, electrical and software engineering for the purpose of designing complex systems like robots, vehicles, and other autonomous computer-controlled systems in industry. Students and teachers are taken into a mechatronics engineering lab and participate in fun and enlightening activities. The mechatronic’s experience runs for two hours.

Date: Upon request

Available for: Year 10, 11 and 12 students and their teachers – maximum of 25 students

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Contact: Jenny Taylor, (02) 4921 7840

The Science and Engineering Challenge is an outreach program designed to inspire students to study science and engineering at a senior level. Up to 250 students are taken out of the classroom to participate in a series of exciting competitive activities that demonstrate the varied and practical elements of a career in the science and engineering industries. The Challenge is conducted nationally by the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle and is designed to be a day of fun, teamwork and discovery.

Date: Series of events throughout the year

Available for: High school students

Location: Throughout the state

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/engineering/community-engagement/challenge

Contact: Michael Cassey, (02) 4921 7319

A residential university experience for Year 9 girls.

Date: 8 to 12 December 2013

Available for: Year 9 Girls

Location: The University of Newcastle

Contact: Kirrily Stokes, (02) 4921 6370

LIVE IT! is a four day residential university experience for 120 year 9 boys from across NSW. The program is for equity targeted groups including: Indigenous students; students for low SES backgrounds; students from rural or remote areas, students with non-English speaking backgrounds; students with a disability; and students who are experiencing exceptional circumstances.

The program has a focus on maths and science and aims to help participants increase their confidence, achieve at school, understand the importance of further education, reduce barriers to university, and create awareness about study and career options that exist for HSC graduates. LIVE IT! has a non-refundable attendance fee of $80.

Date: 15 to 19 December 2013

Available for: Year 9 boys from targeted equity groups

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus

Contact: Kirrily Stokes, (02) 4921 6370

The HSC Music Day is designed to help year 11 and 12 music students maximize outcomes for senior school music. Students gain valuable insight into their music studies directly from HSC senior markers and leave with a music resource booklet to assist with them. The day also sees students participate in live performances and activities to enhance their knowledge and skills in performance, composition, musicology and aural skills.

Date and time: Thursday 2 May 2013, 9am to 2.30 pm

Available for: Year 11 and 12 music students

Location: The Conservatorium of Newcastle

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/school/drama-fine-art-music-conservatorium/areas/music/music-events.html

HSC Coach is an online study support tool for year 12 students offered by the Equity and Diversity Unit at the University of Newcastle. This resource provides students with subject-specific HSC expertise online, which can be particularly helpful for students from less advantaged backgrounds and regional and remote areas. Versions of HSC Coach will be provided to selected schools on CD, in order to help students who many not have access to the internet.

Available for: Year 12 students

Location: Online and CD

Web: www.hsccoach.com.au

Contact: Matt Lumb, (02) 4921 7912

The PaCE Program is designed to engage parents of Indigenous students in years 10 to 12 with their child’s post-school study options. Parents participate in workshops with current university students and Wollotuka Institute staff members to gain an insight into options available to their child, what life is like as a university student, and the support services offered to Indigenous students by the Wollotuka Institute. PaCE supports the Wollotuka Institute programs offered to Indigenous high school students.

Available for: Parents of Indigenous students

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle and Central Coast campuses

Web: www.facebook.com/uonwollotuka

Contact: Robyn Sutherland, (02) 4343 4501

The Rural Schools Program provides rural and remote students with specific information on tertiary study, university life, entry options and the functions of the Wollotuka Institute. Students participate in identity and aspiration focussed activities to encourage goal setting, skill development, and cultural and self esteem enhancement.

Date: Throughout the year

Available for: Years 7-12

Location: School-based – selected rural and remote schools

Web: www.facebook.com/uonwollotuka

Contact: Stuart McMinn, (02) 4349 4503

This interactive program is culturally designed to empower year 7 Indigenous students to make educated choices about their future aspirations and pathways. Students engage with the cultural rich knowledge and practical activities that shape their unique identities. iBelieve reinforces the importance of education and encourages students to set high standards and realistic goals. The program seeks to motivate students and equip them with new personal skills and techniques to deal with challenges. iBelieve is fully funded by the Wollotuka Institute.

Date: Throughout the school year

Available for: Year 7 Indigenous students

Location: School-based delivery

Web: www.facebook.com/uonwollotuka

Contact: Stuart McMinn, (02) 4349 4503

The Year 10 Indigenous Insights Day is designed to prepare students for senior school subject selection and to give insight into university options. Students receive professional direction on their pathway options into a range of degrees. This is an interactive day that sees participants take a campus tour, discuss degrees with current university students and learn about the Indigenous support offered by the Wollotuka Institute. The program is offered and fully funded by the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute.

Date: Held in June during the University's holiday period

Available for: Year 10 Indigenous students

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle and Central Coast campuses

Web: www.facebook.com/uonwollotuka

Contact: Stuart McMinn, (02) 4349 4503

The iLead S2U (Mentoring) Program gives year 11 Indigenous students insight into their desired university degree. Each year 11 participant is linked with a current University of Newcastle student to share their aspirations and work together on culturally focused projects. Both the University mentors and year 11 participants are targeted students. The iLead mentors are selected through a points-based system and the year 11 Indigenous students are nominated by their principal, teacher(s) and/or Aboriginal Education Officer.

Date: Semester 2, 2012

Available for: Year 11 Students

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus

Web: www.facebook.com/uonwollotuka

Contact: Stuart McMinn, (02) 4349 4503

Year 12 UAC talks are an opportunity for Indigenous students to find out about entry options for the University of Newcastle and to be guided through the UAC process. The program is offered and fully funded by the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute.

Date: Throughout school year

Available for: Year 12 Indigenous students

Location: School-based delivery

Web: www.facebook.com/uonwollotuka

Contact: Stuart McMinn, (02) 4349 4503

This is a competition designed to encourage business thinking among high school students. Participants select a new or existing product/service and develop a business plan that innovatively delivers the product/service to the market. When business plans have been completed, students present their research on developing and marketing their product as well as the relevant financial and human resource implications. Students who participate in the Year 11 Business Plan Challenge gain valuable insight into the interesting opportunities that await them in the business world.

The winning team/individual receives a $2000 cash prize and $1000 for their school. The winning individual or each member of the winning team is also awarded a $2000 scholarship to study Business, Commerce or Law at the University of Newcastle.

Three runner-up teams/individuals receive a $500 cash prize plus $500 for their school.

The Challenge is offered by the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Newcastle.

Date and time: The University must receive competition entries by August 2013, with the winners’ presentation to be held in December 2013

Available for: Year 11 business studies students – individuals or teams of up to four members

Location: Presentation will be held at the University of Newcastle, City campus

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/school/business/events/year-11-business-plan-challenge/

Contact: Catherine Seamer, (02) 4921 6642

The Year 11 Excellence Awards are an initiative of the University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Science and Information Technology to recognise an outstanding achievement in one of the following areas: communication, design, mathematics, science or information technology. The award winner receives a certificate and a $50 gift voucher. An Encouragement Award is also offered to a student who has shown high achievement.

Date: Nominations must be received by 19 October

Available for: Year 11 students

Location: Awards are presented at a school event

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it/events-and-community/awards-for-excellence.html

Contact: Glenda Bull, (02) 4921 2007

Students from the University of Newcastle’s Bachelor of Design (Architecture) and Industrial Design degrees showcase their work to the public in November each year through an exhibition. School groups are welcome to attend the Industrial Design Information Session that is scheduled a day before the official exhibition.

Available for: Years 9 to 12

Location: The University of Newcastle, Architecture Design Workshop

Contact: Jenny Taylor, (02) 4921 7840

ExperimentFest is a unique program designed to help senior high school students improve their skills and knowledge using a 'hands-on' approach on selected difficult experiments and concepts in preparation for the HSC. Each year schools have become increasingly aware of the value of this program to their students. Last year over 1,700 students participated in the program which is organised by the University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Science and Information Technology and is sponsored by the Department of Education and Training.

Date: Starts Friday 14 June 2013

Available for: Year 11 and 12 students studying Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle and Central Coast campuses

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/faculty/science-it/events-and-community/experiment-fest/

Contact: Larry Milton, (02) 4946 9159 or 0404 460 470; David Rushton, (02) 4333 6965 or 0414 238 464

The Gifted and Talented Program is a pathway for exceptional students from all high schools to undertake first year university courses while attending school. The program is a University of Newcastle initiative and is run in conjunction with Merewether High School and Callaghan College (NSW Department of Education and Training). If students choose to study at the University of Newcastle after completing high school they may be eligible to receive credit for the course(s) they studied through the Gifted and Talented Program. Students have the opportunity to study courses from the fields of business and law, science and IT, education and arts, and engineering and built environment. The cost of each course is approximately $400.

Date: During University of Newcastle semesters

Available for: All high school students (no age restrictions). Acceptance into non-award courses is based on an expression of interest, interview and CV submission. Applicants must display a suitable level of maturity and commitment.

Location: Merewether High School and Callaghan College

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/giftedandtalented

Contact: Jane Sharpe, (02) 4921 6519

Hyperjinks High is an interactive program designed to help high school students find and use information. This program is available via the Library's website and features interactive games and videos. Versions are available for high school students, parents and teachers. The program is offered by University of Newcastle libraries.

Date: All year

Available for: Year 7-12 students, teachers and parents

Location: In the classroom, at home (library tours on request)

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/service/library/hyperjinks/index.html

Contact: Amanda Valent, (02) 4921 6456

Hyperjinks is an interactive program designed to help primary school students find and use information. The program features interactive games and videos. A CD-Rom version is available on request for primary school students, parents and teachers.

Date: All year

Available for: Primary school students, teachers and parents

Location: In the classroom, at home (library tours on request)

Web: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/library/hyperjinks-primary/index.html

Contact: Amanda Valent, (02) 4921 6456

This program allows high school students to borrow books located at the University of Newcastle’s Libraries at both the Newcastle (Callaghan and City Precinct) and Central Coast (Ourimbah) campuses. Membership costs $22 annually and expires in December of each year.

Available for: Year 7-12 students from the Hunter and Central Coast

Date: All year

Location: The University of Newcastle - Ourimbah, Huxley, City Campus, and Auchmuty Libraries

Web: http://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/highschoolstudents

Contact: Amanda Valent, (02) 4921 6456

Our campus tours aims to give Yr 10 students a taste of what studying at the University of Newcastle is really like. Tours are available at both the Newcastle and Central Coast campuses and are led by one of the University’s Student Ambassadors.

The tour can take your students through lecture theatres, the library, Student Hubs, and places where all the fun happens. Your students will have the opportunity to ask our Ambassador questions about studying at university.

To book a campus tour, go to the 'start' tab of this career advisers' website and click the 'campus tours' button.

The University of Newcastle Oral Health Centre is a student teaching clinic open to the general public. Current Bachelor of Oral Health students provide a range of services under the direct supervision of qualified dental practitioners.

Services available include comprehensive oral examinations, oral hygiene diagnosis, diagnostic Xrays, assessment and management of gum problems, and scaling and cleaning. Treatment costs are minimal and the service is free of charge for Pension and Health Care Card holders, children up to 18 years of age, and students undertaking tertiary study. Mouthguards are also available for $50.

Date: During University semesters. Days of opening vary.

Available for: Everybody

Location: The University of Newcastle, Central Coast campus, Building SL1

Contact: (02) 4348 4164

The University of Newcastle and Central Coast Local Health District Podiatry Clinic is a student teaching clinic providing care for public and private patients at minimal cost. All services are provided under the supervision of a registered podiatrist. The 18 chair clinic hosts surgical facilities and operates five days a week. This state-of-the-art facility allows students to learn in a supervised environment and provides the Central Coast community with a valuable service.

Date: January to mid December (reduced hours during examination periods and holidays)

Available for: Everybody

Location: Block C, Wyong Hospital, 664 Pacific Hwy, Kanwal NSW 2259

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/school/health-sciences/areas-of-study/podiatry/podiatry-teaching-clinic.html

Contact: (02) 4394 7280 or Podiatry-ClinicalAppointments@newcastle.edu.au

The Speech Pathology in Schools Program (SPinS Program) is an opportunity for students having difficulty accessing the curriculum because of inadequate speech and/or language skills to be assisted by speech pathology undergraduate students from the University of Newcastle. This multi-dimensional service delivery program can be highly beneficial for the student(s) being assisted and their teacher(s) and is excellent clinical learning experience for University of Newcastle speech pathology students. All services provided by University of Newcastle students are done so under the supervision of qualified and experienced speech pathology clinical educators. The program uses a holistic approach to assess and manage each child's needs.

Date: One day per week across two school terms

Available for: Primary schools involved in the program are negotiated on a year to year basis

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, ground floor of the General Purpose Building

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/school/hss/areas/speech-pathology/SPins.html

Contact: Annemarie Laurance, (02) 4921 7338

The University of Newcastle Stuttering Clinic offers treatment from experienced speech pathologists to children and adults who stutter.

The Lidcombe Program for Early Stuttering is available for pre-school age children. There is currently no cost for this service. An eight-week treatment program is available for school aged children, adolescents and adults who stutter. The program involves one week of intensive therapy and a two hour weekly session for the following seven weeks. A fee is charged for this clinical service.

This research clinic also provides clinical education to speech pathology students under the guidance of experienced speech pathologists.

Date: Throughout the year

Available for: All ages

Location: The University of Newcastle, Newcastle campus, ground floor of the General Purpose Building

Web: www.newcastle.edu.au/school/hss/areas/speech-pathology/stuttering-clinic.html

Contact: Dr Sally Hewat or Monica Anderson - (02) 4921 6414