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
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News • 19 Jun 2013
Institute of Architects honour University of Newcastle students
Three students from the University of Newcastle’s School of Architecture and Design have won prestigious Australian Institute of Architects’ medals.
News • 19 Jun 2013
The relationship between technology use and childhood obesity
The University of Newcastle is leading a research project into the link between technology use and childhood obesity.
News • 13 Jun 2013
New Chief Operating Officer for University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle has appointed Nat McGregor as its new Chief Operating Officer, from 30 May 2013.
News • 12 Jun 2013
University of Newcastle student wins Midwife of the Year
University of Newcastle research doctorate student, Namira Williams, has won the prestigious Australian College of Midwives 2013 NSW Midwife of the Year.
News • 10 Jun 2013
Kidney disease in Aboriginal Australians perpetuates poverty
The recent death of the lead singer of Yothu Yindi, is a high-profile example of an event all too common in Aboriginal Australia.
News • 03 Jun 2013
Students and supporters celebrate Scholars' Week
Academic excellence is being recognised and rewarded this week, with the University of Newcastle holding its annual Scholars’ Week (3 - 7 June) celebrations.
News • 31 May 2013
New study shows genetic role in education
A multinational consortium of medical researchers and social scientists has found a link between educational attainment and variations in one’s genetic sequence
News • 23 May 2013
World-first occupational therapy student website launch
An innovative and flexible student-centred website, the first of its kind in the world for occupational therapy students, will be launched at the University
News • 21 May 2013
Laureate Professor wins top international medal
University of Newcastle Laureate Professor Graham Goodwin has been named the 2013 recipient of the Rufus Oldenburger Medal.
News • 20 May 2013
Work starts on the Tamworth Education Centre
The University of Newcastle marked the beginning of construction of the $16m Tamworth Education Centre with a turning of the first sod ceremony today.
News • 16 May 2013
Newcastle student named NSW International Student of the Year
University of Newcastle Bachelor of Medicine student Mohamed Ehsan Ebrahim has been named the New South Wales Higher Education International Student of the Year
News • 08 May 2013
Professor Caroline McMillen opens Newcastle's Healthy University Fair
The University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline McMillen opened the University's inaugural Health Fair today to promote healthy lifestyles.
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.