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 • 17 Apr 2026
Safe, affordable university student accommodation on its way for the Central Coast
The University of Newcastle will deliver safe and affordable student accommodation on the Central Coast, easing housing pressures for students and supporting the ongoing revitalisation of the Gosford CBD.
News • 09 Apr 2026
New partnership to bolster Indigenous Careers
The University of Newcastle and CareerTrackers today officially launched a partnership to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into meaningful careers, internships and leadership opportunities.
News • 31 Mar 2026
University of Newcastle launches new Strategic Plan: Looking Ahead 2030
The University of Newcastle has unveiled Looking Ahead 2030, a transformative strategic plan that sets a bold direction for the …
News • 31 Mar 2026
Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity
New research suggests most Australians support a simple change that could significantly boost children’s physical activity levels: letting students wear sports uniforms every day.
News • 27 Mar 2026
Study confirms measurable biological markers in irritable bowel syndrome
New research from the University of Newcastle has found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show detectable biological changes, challenging the long-held perception that the condition lacks a physical basis.
News • 24 Mar 2026
Driving down phone use behind the wheel
A University of Newcastle study has shown that a targeted online intervention can significantly reduce mobile phone usage among young drivers – with reported behaviour change sustained for at least one month.
News • 19 Mar 2026
University Skills Hub to accelerate transition to new energy economy
Construction has commenced on the University of Newcastle’s New Energy Skills Hub, a purpose-built facility that will help develop the critical skills needed for the Hunter’s energy transition.
News • 18 Mar 2026
Collaborative research for a safe and healthy coastal environment
The University of Newcastle and Central Coast Council have partnered to undertake a comprehensive scientific study of ocean outfalls and surrounding marine environments.
News • 16 Mar 2026
Ten years on: young Australians ambitious and resilient despite rising pressures
Overlapping and worsening social, economic and environmental pressures are making Australian high school students more uncertain about their futures compared to a decade ago, according to new research from the University of Newcastle.
News • 16 Mar 2026
Wollotuka Recruitment Takes Outreach Across the Regions
Wollotuka’s recruitment team has kicked off the year with energy and purpose, hitting the road (literally) to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities across New South Wales.
News • 13 Mar 2026
Young artists of the Coast shine at Gosford Library
People from across the region are set to gather on Friday 13 March for opening night of the University of Newcastle’s 2026 Coast Next Gen Art Exhibition, showcasing the exceptional creative talents of 25 HSC graduates from 10 schools on the Central Coast.
News • 12 Mar 2026
New era in philanthropy is Indigenous-led
A groundbreaking paper, published today by the University of Newcastle and Noble Ambition, is challenging the philanthropic industry and calling for action to end on-going power imbalances.
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.