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 Dec 2014
Vice-Chancellor's Awards Winners
The University of Newcastle celebrates the achievements of staff with the VC's Award Ceremony.
News • 08 Dec 2014
School's in for Summer
Girls’ Choices is organised by AIM HIGH and provides female Year 9 students from schools around the state with a five-day residential university experience.
News • 08 Dec 2014
Wollotuka Yarning Circle on Constitutional Recognition
The panellists for the discussion are journalist and author Mr Jeff McMullen, Federal Member for Newcastle Ms Sharon Claydon MP, and UON alumnus Teela Reid
News • 05 Dec 2014
Closing the gap on Indigenous health
Ms Turner received the Gail May Award which acknowledges those working at the grassroots level to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
News • 05 Dec 2014
Operation Angel Award for UON academic
University of Newcastle Research academic has been honoured for her dedication to kidney health researchers in Indigenous Australians.
News • 04 Dec 2014
Stayin’ on Track
Stayin’ on Track is a program designed to transition young Aboriginal men to fatherhood through a user-developed website and smartphone app called Mood Tracker.
News • 02 Dec 2014
Humanities accolade
Professor Hugh Craig from UON's Centre for Linguistic and Literary Computing has been elected as a Fellow to the Australian Academy of Humanities.
News • 02 Dec 2014
DADEE activity program benefits daughters
University of Newcastle researchers have developed a world-first lifestyle program to enhance the physical and social-emotional well-being of young girls.
News • 28 Nov 2014
Defence partnership creates opportunities
Simulation training and education will be the focus of a cooperative relationship between the Australian Defence College and the University of Newcastle.
News • 28 Nov 2014
$1.7 million boost for Hunter cancer researchers
University of Newcastle cancer researchers have received a $1.7million boost to cancer research.
News • 21 Nov 2014
National recognition for healthy engagement
Developed by Professor Philip Morgan and his team at the University of Newcastle, Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids teaches dads to be positive-lifestyle role models.
News • 19 Nov 2014
Trial creates shift in lung disease care
A study by University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health is trialling new clinical therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).
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.