UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering delivered an engaging, hands-on outreach program to Northern NSW, reaching more than 1,050 students across 10 schools
A series of interactive workshops in schools across Northern NSW introduced high school students to renewable energy through the design, construction and racing of small-scale solar cars. Taking hands-on engineering experiences directly to schools, each four-hour session was led by undergraduate ‘ambassadors’—UNSW students studying photovoltaic and renewable energy engineering.
The workshops began with a practical introduction to solar technology, followed by team-based building activities, before students then tested their designs on an outdoor track. Finally, they took part in a Q&A session where they reflected on their learning and processes involved.
Delivered in collaboration with specialty STEM education provider Kite Magic, the program highlighted real pathways into STEM and university study, linking activities to real-world issues and showcasing what is possible after high school.
Early feedback from participating schools highlighted the program’s strong impact on student engagement and confidence. At Hastings Secondary College, Year 9 student Deenesha (14) said she was surprised by how much she enjoyed the workshop.
“I wouldn’t normally enjoy this type of activity, but for some reason I’m loving it at the moment. I would love more subjects to be more hands-on and help us learn about the environment we live in, and why we need to support our earth, seeing as it supports quite a lot for us.”
Students who initially felt uncertain about the engineering and electrical components grew in confidence throughout the session, with some going on to help peers troubleshoot their solar cars. Teachers observed that students who are often disengaged in traditional classroom settings were highly focused and collaborative during the hands-on activities.
A Year 8 student reflected that they “didn’t think science was for them” prior to the workshop but, after successfully building and testing a solar car, expressed interest in participating in future STEM activities.
The workshops were part of a broader series of initiatives led by UNSW Engineering to support the UNSW Widening Participation Strategy, which aims to address systemic barriers and provide opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds to access and succeed at university and beyond.
