Affordable and Clean Energy
Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency
The University of Newcastle delivers community and school outreach that helps people explore energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the role of engineering in a lower-emissions future.
Clean energy innovation in the Hunter
On 2 April 2025, the University's I2N Startup Stories program at the Honeysuckle Innovation Hub featured University alumnus Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech. The public event explored how a Newcastle cleantech startup is making ammonia production cleaner and more energy efficient, using less energy while reducing emissions and manufacturing costs.
The session connected clean-energy research and entrepreneurship with the Hunter's startup community, showing how energy-efficiency innovation can move from the laboratory into practical industrial applications.
Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech.
Energy learning through the Science and Engineering Challenge
The University's Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program delivered in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. In 2025, more than 26,800 students from over 873 schools took part, including Challenge and Discovery Days in Newcastle, the Central Coast and other regional communities.
Energy and sustainability are built into the program's hands-on activities. In ElectraCITY, students design an electricity network for a model city and must find the most efficient, lowest-cost way to supply buildings while accounting for cable resistance and infrastructure costs. Other activities include wind-turbine design and environmentally responsive housing.
The 2025 event calendar included Newcastle Challenge Days from 4-10 April and Newcastle Discovery Days from 8-12 September, alongside events throughout New South Wales and every Australian state and territory.
The National Science and Engineering Challenge
Building energy literacy through practical outreach
These programs give school students, community members, innovators and local industry practical ways to engage with energy efficiency and clean-energy solutions. They connect technical concepts with real-world decisions about electricity use, industrial processes, renewable technologies and sustainable design.
2024 Annual Spring School
The University of Newcastle's centre for organic electronics (COE) successfully hosted its 14th annual spring school. In 2024, this three-day event provided undergraduate students from various disciplines, including Science, Math, IT, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, with an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in organic electronics. The program featured lectures from local and international experts, hands-on experiences in COE labs, and interactive think tank sessions aimed at inspiring students to pursue research careers. Highlights included fabricating organic solar cells, operating advanced microscopes, racing simulated EV cars, and learning about Printed Solar and its recycling. Accredited by CIFAL Newcastle and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), students received formal recognition for their participation. The event, sponsored by Spruson & Ferguson Intellectual Property and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, saw students awarded for solar cell efficiency and EV racing. Following the event’s success, many students expressed interest in continuing their research journey with the COE.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
Learn more
News • 09 Apr 2018
Visiting fellow promotes better wellbeing at work
The University of Newcastle (UON) is delighted to welcome visiting Fellow Dr Joan Bottorff, Director of the Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention at the University of British Columbia.
News • 06 Apr 2018
University of Newcastle graduate bridges the gap in rural health
Graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and currently practising as a paediatric physiotherapist, Luke Wakely is passionate about minimising inequity in health, particularly for children who live in rural ar
News • 06 Apr 2018
Doctor-to-be Nicole Whitson paves the way for Indigenous students
Following in the footsteps of her Aunty, Professor Gail Garvey, Nicole Whitson is proud to be the third person to graduate from her large Indigenous family of almost 40 immediate relatives.
News • 05 Apr 2018
Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle graduates with a tick of approval
As the youngest candidate ever elected to Newcastle City Council, Declan Clausen will have another achievement to add to the list when he graduates with First Class Honours.
News • 05 Apr 2018
A new career path is born for University of Newcastle midwifery graduate
After struggling to determine which career path to pursue, Angela Rees’ passion for midwifery was ignited after a chance encounter with a family and their newborn.
News • 04 Apr 2018
Finding a FaceMatch could unlock genetic puzzles
Unravelling the mysteries behind undiagnosed intellectual disabilities in children might be a step closer thanks to a first-of-its-kind web platform launched today at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).
News • 04 Apr 2018
Development program puts female researchers at the fore
Fifteen female early and mid-year career researchers from the University of Newcastle (UON) will have the opportunity to progress their academic careers with a development program designed to break through gender barriers.
News • 29 Mar 2018
Kids’ input needed for nutrition lesson plans
Healthy eating is already embedded in many schools: from healthy canteens to the Crunch & Sip program. However, can kids learn more about the importance of good food for their health in the classroom?
News • 28 Mar 2018
NEW Thinking at Newcastle Writers Festival
More than 30 University of Newcastle staff and students will share their creativity and insights at the 2018 Newcastle Writers Festival through a series of workshops, presentations and masterclasses.
News • 28 Mar 2018
Pioneering respiratory researcher awarded TSANZ Fellowship
University of Newcastle researcher Professor Jodie Simpson has been named a Fellow of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (FThorSoc) in recognition of her pioneering expertise and experience in respiratory research.
News • 28 Mar 2018
Borne HMRI collaboration to advance pre-term pregnancy research
Having endured the grief of losing two children, former Wallabies player Dean Mumm and wife Sarah are linking with the Borne Foundation and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) to raise funds and awareness for research into premature birth.
News • 28 Mar 2018
$1.96 million to personalise cancer treatment and change patient lives
Professor Jennifer Martin will develop a personalised chemotherapy dosing system for cancer patients to improve quality of life, reduce side effects and increase chance of survival.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.