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 • 27 Jul 2023
One thousand new teachers set to benefit from Quality Teaching Rounds
More than a thousand beginning teachers are set to benefit from a $5 million four-year agreement between the Australian Government and the University of Newcastle to expand the award-winning Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) program.
News • 26 Jul 2023
University of Newcastle transfers 1A Jaques Street Ourimbah to Central Coast Council for community use
Central Coast Council is delighted to formally accept the land transfer at 1A Jaques Street Ourimbah from the University of Newcastle.
News • 24 Jul 2023
People from across the region expected to get a taste of university life at Central Coast Open Day
Hundreds of people from across the Central Coast region will get a taste of university life as the University of Newcastle opens its campus doors for the Central Coast Open Day on Saturday 29 July.
News • 18 Jul 2023
First Health Innovation Living Lab opens in the Hunter
The Hunter’s first purpose-built Health Innovation Living Lab, located at John Hunter Hospital, has been officially unveiled to the community, supporting greater health research and innovation in the region.
News • 14 Jul 2023
Development Studies graduate makes a global mark
Like many school leavers, Nick wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do after he left school. He worked a few different jobs, did some travelling, and then tried his hand in a trade apprenticeship before deciding he wanted to enrol in university. It was this decision that ultimately led him to find his passion for humanitarian studies.
News • 14 Jul 2023
Port Stephens Coaches, University of Newcastle and Foton Mobility Distribution join forces in Electric Bus Trial
Leading Hunter Region transport operator Port Stephens Coaches is coming together with Zero Emissions transport supplier Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) and University of Newcastle, to run a short trial of a Battery Electric City Bus (BEV).
News • 13 Jul 2023
A midwife's passion is born
Agatha was 11 years old and living in her home country, Nigeria, West Africa, when she learnt first-hand what a midwife was.
News • 13 Jul 2023
Global Indigenous Studies graduate inspired by her community, to help her community
For proud Gommeroi woman, Kyiesha Faulkner, her family was her biggest inspiration and motivation to study a Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies combined with Law.
News • 11 Jul 2023
1,400 students from around Australia and the world set to graduate
More than 1,400 students will celebrate the culmination of their studies at the University of Newcastle graduation ceremonies this week.
News • 07 Jul 2023
Team Wollotuka blitz Indigenous Nationals, including award for most promising talent
Indigenous Nationals 2023 have wrapped up with another stellar performance from the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka team, finishing 4th out …
News • 06 Jul 2023
Official launch of the Newcastle APS Academy Campus at University of Newcastle
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service, launched the first Australian Public Service (APS) Academy Campus at the University of Newcastle today. The launch welcomes the first group of entry-level data and digital participants and demonstrates the APS’s commitment to reaching talent outside Canberra.
News • 04 Jul 2023
Asthma study to test effectiveness of smart inhalers
Improving asthma management through better compliance with medication schedules has been shown to be effective in reducing exacerbations and consequently hospitalisations.
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.