STEP UP
Better education, stronger futures: Transforming education through the Smart Tech & Education Program.
STEP UP is a living laboratory for discovering what works in education - and turning evidence into impact.
We bring together researchers, educators, students, communities and policymakers to develop, test and scale solutions that use game-based learning to strengthen education, build economic and financial literacy and expand opportunity.
Our goal is simple: better education, at scale, with lasting impact that helps close the educational attainment gap for vulnerable groups.
By translating innovative research into accessible education and meaningful engagement, STEP UP contributes directly to UNSW’s Progress for All ambition: advancing economic and social prosperity and creating positive societal impact for current and future generations.
Since 2022, STEP UP has been helping thousands of high school students from diverse backgrounds build foundations in economic and financial literacy.
Learning improved by 23–40% across topics, with 74% gaining confidence in economic reasoning and, 64% strengthening their maths confidence.
83% of students learnt skills for life and work, with 80% becoming more confident decision-makers and 75% feeling better prepared for their future.
Grounded in large-scale randomised controlled trials, delivering evidence to strengthen learning capability and outcomes.
Connecting expertise across research, education systems and government to drive lasting system-level change.
Playconomics: learn economics by playing it
STEP UP is powered by Playconomics - an innovative platform combining a large-scale MMO video game with an AI-enhanced learning system to drive engagement and build student confidence.
Through STEP UP’s free, self-paced outreach program, high school students develop economic and financial capability by making real-world decisions in a risk-free environment. In around 30 minutes a week, students learn through gameplay supported by interactive activities, quizzes, videos, and an eBook, with minimal preparation required from teachers. Schools can easily integrate the program and start bringing economics to life in the classroom.
What STEP UP does
Working with schools
Through interactive outreach programs such as STEP UP: Playconomics, we partner with schools and teachers around the world to make economic and financial literacy engaging, practical and accessible. Students learn through self-paced activities, real-world scenarios and simulated decision-making, while teachers receive flexible resources and support with minimal additional workload. These experiences build students’ economic reasoning, confidence and problem-solving skills, while encouraging more young people to see university as part of their future.
Building the evidence
Our research shows that students can learn as effectively - and often more effectively - through gameplay than through traditional textbook-based approaches, while finding the experience more engaging. Features such as live leaderboards, peer dynamics, achievement badges and game-based visuals can improve academic performance, motivate learners who need extra support and help close achievement gaps. Real-time engagement data can also flag students at risk of falling behind remarkably early, enabling educators to provide timely, targeted support.
Impact & stories
University of New South Wales
Playconomics is an outstanding example of UNSW’s commitment to drive innovation and excellence in education. Initiatives like this are emblematic of the new approaches to learning happening at universities. They provide exemplary tools and outcomes for our students and extend to teaching and learning beyond our gates, helping to advance knowledge and prosperity in the broader community.
Parliament of Australia
Senator Richard Dowling | Labour senator for Tasmania
Thank you for your ongoing advocacy, expertise and engagement. Your contribution [with STEP UP] has helped build broader recognition of financial capability as a national priority and of its role in improving Australians’ financial wellbeing and resilience. I look forward to working with your further through the newly established Parliamentary Friends of Financial Capability.
Caroline Chisholm College
To any high school student passionate about business and economics: this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. The knowledge, experience and potential benefits are immense, but above all, it’s genuinely an entertaining way to learn. So, if you are contemplating it, I implore you to take this opportunity seriously, embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey. You never know where it might take you!
Arthur Phillip High School
Rebecca Ford | Social Sciences teacher
On a personal note, seeing such diversity in the schools and students present [in the program] was very heartening. Seeing that Economics is alive and well in many more diverse schools was encouraging. If Economics is the language of democracy, things are looking positive! Thank you for including APHS in this program.