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 • 18 Sep 2018
Putting science on the political agenda
Associate Professor Peter Howley, has been named as one of ten inaugural ambassadors who will help strengthen the understanding and importance of STEM at a federal level.
News • 17 Sep 2018
Rise to the top – alumnus joins the Academy
University of Newcastle alumnus, Yasser Hamed, has risen to the top of his field in film animation, joining the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science.
News • 13 Sep 2018
Creativity the key to unlocking new ideas
The University's Enterprise + Innovation 2018 event is taking place throughout September to inspire original ideas and new perspectives among staff and students.
News • 12 Sep 2018
Teen back pain linked to substance use
New research has revealed adolescents with frequent back pain are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol and report feelings of anxiety and depression.
News • 11 Sep 2018
Medical resource recognised for innovative education delivery
The University of Newcastle’s Laureate Professor Nick Talley and Conjoint Senior Lecturer Dr Simon O’Connor have been recognised for their key work in medical education at the prestigious British Medical Association (BMA) Medical Book Awards 2018.
News • 07 Sep 2018
Grant to curb deafness and disadvantage
A $69,000 RP Medical Fund philanthropic grant will accelerate a new project to offer early intervention in ear health in Aboriginal communities throughout the Hunter New England region.
News • 07 Sep 2018
Placemaking breathes new life into Honeysuckle
A repurposed shipping container designed to stimulate conversation, a mobile community space for the public to cook and collaborate, and an intriguing new app featuring lesser-known stories of Honeysuckle’s history will breathe new life into the Honeysuckle foreshore from Friday.
News • 07 Sep 2018
National nutrition study calls for young adults to trial real time diet feedback
Aiming to enhance young people’s health and nutrition awareness, University of Newcastle researchers are trialling a new technology-based instant feedback system in a nationwide study.
News • 05 Sep 2018
Leading female surgeon to shine light on gender equity
Leading Australian cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Nikki Stamp, will deliver a keynote lecture tonight as part of the University of Newcastle’s 40 Years of Medicine celebrations.
News • 05 Sep 2018
Breaking down gender barriers in coastal geoscience and engineering
A group of international female scientists, including University of Newcastle Coastal Scientist Dr Hannah Power, has identified key barriers to success for women working in the fields of coastal geoscience and engineering, proposing simple steps to attract more women to innovation industries.
News • 04 Sep 2018
New agreement offers safety research opportunities for students
SafeWork NSW’s Centre for Work Health and Safety and the University of Newcastle have committed to working together to develop work health and safety research expertise in Australia.
News • 31 Aug 2018
Helping dads cope with postnatal depression
A new study is aiming to support new dads who experience postnatal depression.
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.