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 • 07 May 2015
From steelworker to award-winning artist
Multimedia artist from UON wins Hatched art prize. Read about Andrew Styan's work here.
News • 05 May 2015
UON Alumni it’s your time to shine
UON is celebrating its golden year and it’s your time to shine - nominate now for the University of Newcastle's 2015 Alumni Awards
News • 04 May 2015
Study to build fitness in the great outdoors
University of Newcastle researchers who have developed an innovative, multicomponent physical activity study to help people become taut and trim.
News • 30 Apr 2015
Microscope to shed light on mental health
A laser-equipped microscope that gives brain researchers unparalleled insight into mental illness has just been installed at the University of Newcastle.
News • 29 Apr 2015
QS World Rankings by Subject
UON’s Architecture & Built Environment discipline has debuted at number 40 in the world and 6th in Australia in the 2015 QS World University Rankings by Subject
News • 29 Apr 2015
Make your mark on national flu map
www.flutracking.net, the largest online influenza-like illness surveillance system of its kind in the world, can alert health officials to epidemic outbreaks.
News • 27 Apr 2015
Study aims to ease menopausal symptoms
A University of Newcastle study is exploring whether a health supplement can curb menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, insomnia and irritability.
News • 08 Apr 2015
Celebrating 50 years of UON graduates
Students graduating at the UON April ceremonies this week will celebrate significant individual achievements during the University’s 50th year.
News • 26 Mar 2015
Academy honour for UON leaders
Two UON research leaders are among the distinguished health & medical scientists elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences.
News • 20 Mar 2015
50th anniversary celebrations kick off
The University of Newcastle kicked off the beginning of a year of celebrations today to mark its 50th anniversary.
News • 19 Mar 2015
Students vs academics
Having succumbed to the Academics team last year, the students are out for revenge in this year’s Godfrey Tanner Great Debate on Tuesday 24 March.
News • 24 Feb 2015
Breast cancer gene breakthrough
breast cancer study shows need to expand gene screening, University of Newcastle
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.