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 Nov 2018
Call for fathers and preschoolers to take part in family health program
The University of Newcastle is calling for 150 dads with three to five-year-olds to take part in a healthy lifestyle program being offered in the Hunter region.
News • 22 Nov 2018
Female researchers sponsored in academic journey
Seven promising University of Newcastle researchers are helping to pave the way for their female peers, as recipients of a Women in Research (WIR) Fellowship designed to support the development of their academic careers.
News • 22 Nov 2018
Pilot project to evaluate the use of Virtual Reality in teaching soon to run University wide
Virtual Reality and other simulation technologies are making their way into teaching and education: the University of Newcastle is looking into what it will take to implement VR as a sustainable and lasting teaching tool and is therefore launching the Simulation Technology Evaluation Pilot (STEP) Pr
News • 21 Nov 2018
New Tastes of Wine Symposium
Join industry professionals and experts for an evening of wine, cheese and discussion around how Australia’s changing trends are leading innovations in wine production.
News • 19 Nov 2018
Architecture student’s design chosen for striking $2 million multi-arts centre
Architecture student Samantha Bailey’s design for a striking $2 million multi-arts space, featuring spectacular waterfront vistas, will become a new …
News • 15 Nov 2018
Million dollar award night for Hunter medical researchers
Young researchers scooped the pool at the 2018 HMRI Awards Night as more than 30 new grants exceeding $1 million …
News • 14 Nov 2018
Researcher reveals new ways to catch killer cells
A pioneering young scientist from Newcastle has received national recognition for using stem cell research to investigate ways of improving the survival rates for leukemia.
News • 14 Nov 2018
University partnerships demonstrate powerful community impact
The University of Newcastle's successful industry collaborations have provided significant benefits to Australian communities and beyond.
News • 13 Nov 2018
Inaugural lecture honours prominent Hunter psychologist
The legacy of well-known Hunter psychologist, educator and former Chancellor of the University, Professor Trevor Waring AM will be honoured …
News • 12 Nov 2018
Sparkes helps light the future of the legal industry
A new partnership between the University of Newcastle and Sparke Helmore Lawyers will explore what digital disruption means for the future of law students and lawyers.
News • 12 Nov 2018
Improving mental health support for cancer and palliative care patients
Renowned mental-health authority, Professor Brian Kelly, has received international recognition for his extensive clinical research into the psychosocial aspects of cancer and palliative care.
News • 09 Nov 2018
Research outcomes that benefit every body in Australia
Health and medical research from the University of Newcastle has been recognised among the country’s best for improving the wellbeing of people in Australia and beyond.
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.