UNSW Year 10 & 11 Experience Days

Architecture: Materials Matter: Designing For A Sustainable Future | This interactive workshop introduces participants to the principles of sustainable architecture and challenges them to think critically about how buildings impact the environment. Through hands-on activities, discussions and design challenges, participants will explore key concepts such as passive design, material selection and energy efficiency. By the end of the workshop, they will have a deeper understanding of sustainable design and its role in shaping a resilient future.

Accounting & Taxation: Understanding Tax | Taxes are the money that keeps our society running from funding things like public schools, hospitals, roads and support programs. But understanding taxation isn’t just about numbers. It brings together ideas from economics, law, politics, accounting and even philosophy. In this interactive workshop, you’ll discover why taxes matter in today’s world and why a career in taxation could be more interesting (and important) than you think.

Commerce: Future Self Lab: Explore Majors, Make Your Story | Step into your future and meet the version of you who’s ready to take on the world of business. In this interactive workshop, students will explore the exciting integrated first year of the Bachelor of Commerce program, from discovering diverse majors to meeting the personas that bring each pathway to life. Through hands‑on activities, guided reflection and creative exploration, students will design their own “future self” and map out the possibilities that a Commerce degree can unlock. It’s a chance to imagine and begin shaping the story of who you might become.

Economics: Economics Is Everywhere (Featuring Playconomics) | Economics is all around us. Explore how economic forces shape our lives and how economists tackle problems that shape society, like globalisation, inequality and climate change. And a videogame—Playconomics—that puts you in charge and gives you hands-on experience of how economists think and make sense of a complex world.

Marketing: Consumer Behaviour: Why We Buy? | Consumer behaviour uncovers the hidden psychology behind why we choose certain products, brands and logos without even realising it. This workshop explores the consumer decision-making process and reveals how businesses use these insights to influence choices, shape marketing strategies and build strong brand loyalty.

Computer Science: Solving Games With Dynamic Programming | Discover how computers can solve games like tic-tac-toe. We’ll first consider exhaustive searching through all the ways the game can pan out, and then demonstrate how the search can be made dramatically faster using the algorithmic technique of dynamic programming. Finally, we’ll consider how similar ideas can be applied to more sophisticated games.

Biomedical Engineering: Assistive Tech: Automated Medication Dispenser | This workshop offers an introduction to biomedical engineering by showcasing how technology can be engineered to support people in their daily health needs. Through a hands‑on activity, participants will assemble an automated medication dispenser designed to help someone remember to take their medication, demonstrating how thoughtful engineering can help people live healthier and more independent lives.

Chemical & Chemical Product Engineering: The Water Filtration Challenge | You have been dispatched to a remote village in Africa, with only dirty water available and limited filtration materials to make it clean. During this fast-paced, hands-on workshop, you will be working as a team of chemical engineers to design and operate a low-energy filtering system to treat the water. You'll learn how chemical engineers work on today's grand challenges like climate change. Then, you'll compete to build the most efficient water treatment system at the lowest cost to win the prize.

Civil/Environmental Engineering: Floating Mangroves Challenge | This workshop will introduce the various fields of Civil and Environmental Engineering with a particular focus on examples of our restorative engineering and environmental adaptive management. You will then take on our hands-on floating barge challenge.

Materials Science & Engineering: Materials Science In Action: Exploring The Stuff That Shapes Our World | What if a train could float? What if freezing something made it stronger – or more likely to break? Step inside the world of materials science and discover how the hidden science of “stuff” shapes everything around us. This interactive materials science showcase brings materials to life through Maglev (high speed) train demonstrations, liquid nitrogen ice cream and Charpy impact testing at different temperatures.

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering: Robotic Arm Programming Challenge | Learn how robotic arms are used to pick, place and assemble things in industrial settings. In this activity, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with real robots. You can move them around and write code to control them. When you complete the activity, your robot will be able to play Connect4, and may even be able to compete with other teams.

Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering: Tim Tam Experiment: Geoenergy & Geostorage | From Tim Tam experiments to tackling real-world emissions — explore how we can store CO₂ underground and engineer a cleaner future with Geoenergy & Geostorage Engineering.

Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering: Resourcing The Future | Understand the importance of critical minerals in the decarbonisation of our world, such as their role in building EV batteries. In this workshop, we'll explore different mining methods to source minerals with minimal environmental impacts. You'll participate in an immersive experience of mines through virtual reality and holographic tables.

Photovoltaics & Renewable Energy: Keeping Cool With Sunshine | Join us as we take you through how sunlight can make amazing things possible. We will take you through how to turn sunlight into cooling power to take the heat out of your day. You will learn about sunlight and also about the technology underpinning an energy revolution that is happening right now – photovoltaics.

Geographical Studies: Energy Planning For Remote Pacific Islands | Learn how real communities in Vanuatu plan off-grid energy solutions and work in teams to design your own island electrification strategy using maps, livelihood data and technology options. This hands-on workshop introduces you to the role of geography, context and community engagement in renewable energy decision-making for the Pacific.

Languages: Say What? Languages In Action! | A fun and interactive workshop where you'll explore the languages you can learn at UNSW and get a taste of how language can be used in your future university studies.

Private & Commercial Law: Companies & Climate Change | Interested in making a positive impact in climate change? Challenge yourself to consider how we might be able to use the law to hold companies accountable for their climate change impacts.

Arts & Media: Making The News: A Workshop With UNSW's Newsworthy | How do journalists work? This interactive session will see you explore the differences between journalists and other published voices, as well as how journalists find and develop news stories and features. We encourage you to engage with some news media before attending.

Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Innovation: Virtual Supermarket Tour | What's in the groceries you buy at the supermarket? In this workshop, you'll see live examples of nutrition and the way dietitians provide cateogry-specific advice for key nutrients such as calcium, sodium, dietary fibre, whole grain, sugars and health star rating. You'll participate in a virtual supermarket tour in one of our labs, learning how to review food labels and discussing innovation in the nutrition and dietetics landscape.

Aviation: The Business Of Drones | Push the boundaries of science and innovation in this dynamic workshop where you'll form startup teams to tackle real-world problems using drone technology. Develop a business concept, design drone-based solutions and craft a compelling investor pitch that could take your idea to new heights. Experience the full startup journey—from ideation to presentation—and discover how science, technology and entrepreneurship intersect in this rapidly growing industry.

Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences: Critical Choices: Mining The Minerals For Everyday Life | Run your own company in a world where Earth’s mineral resources are limited—and every decision counts. We'll explore how minerals are essential to everyday products, from smartphones and transport to renewable energy technologies. Working in teams, you'll compete against rival companies to secure resources, design products, and grow profits and influence, while also balancing environmental impacts and social responsibility. By the end of the workshop, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how resource choices shape our world and why smart, sustainable decisions are critical for building the future we want.

Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences: Build, Collaborate, Succeed: A LEGO Teamwork Challenge | Step into a hands on workshop where LEGO becomes a powerful tool for understanding how great teams are built. Through fast paced, creative construction challenges, you’ll explore team formation, practise clear communication and learn practical strategies for navigating conflict. You’ll also discover why teamwork is essential in the sciences — where research, lab work and real world problem solving rely on collaboration, shared decision making and diverse perspectives. This playful yet purposeful session shows how strong teamwork not only drives scientific breakthroughs but also sets you apart as a future ready professional in any field.

Human Resource Management: Who Are You Hiring Today? | Step into the shoes of a Human Resources professional and decide who gets the job. But beware - every candidate has strengths and red flags. In this hands-on workshop, you'll debate, decide and discover what makes a great hire (and a great HR professional).

Cybersecurity: Careers That Matter! | As the threats landscape evolves we need professionals who can adapt, innovate and respond to protect our digital assessments and livelyhood. This requires creative thinking, agility and collaboration. In this workshop, you will get to experience a real world cybersecurity challenge and develop an appropriate response.

Biomedical Engineering: Assistive Tech: Automated Medication Dispenser | This workshop offers an introduction to biomedical engineering by showcasing how technology can be engineered to support people in their daily health needs. Through a hands‑on activity, participants will assemble an automated medication dispenser designed to help someone remember to take their medication, demonstrating how thoughtful engineering can help people live healthier and more independent lives.

Chemical & Chemical Product Engineering: The Water Filtration Challenge | You have been dispatched to a remote village in Africa, with only dirty water available and limited filtration materials to make it clean. During this fast-paced, hands-on workshop, you will be working as a team of chemical engineers to design and operate a low-energy filtering system to treat the water. You'll learn how chemical engineers work on today's grand challenges like climate change. Then, you'll compete to build the most efficient water treatment system at the lowest cost to win the prize.

Civil/Environmental Engineering: Water Tower Challenge | This workshop will introduce the various fields of Civil and Environmental Engineering. You will then take on a challenge to build the tallest water tower.

Electrical Engineering: Electro Explorers | Learn the basics of circuits and how electrical components work together. You’ll build, test, and experiment to see how simple ideas turn into real, working technology — just like engineers do.

Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering: Resourcing The Future | Understand the importance of critical minerals in the decarbonisation of our world, such as their role in building EV batteries. In this workshop, we'll explore different mining methods to source minerals with minimal environmental impacts. You'll participate in an immersive experience of mines through virtual reality and holographic tables.

Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering: Tim Tam Experiment: Geoenergy & Geostorage | From Tim Tam experiments to tackling real-world emissions — explore how we can store CO₂ underground and engineer a cleaner future with Geoenergy & Geostorage Engineering.

Photovoltaics & Renewable Energy: Keeping Cool With Sunshine | Join us as we take you through how sunlight can make amazing things possible. We will take you through how to turn sunlight into cooling power to take the heat out of your day. You will learn about sunlight and also about the technology underpinning an energy revolution that is happening right now – photovoltaics.

Surveying and Geospatial Engineering: The Outdoor/Indoor Profession Of Surveying | Hands-on exercises with a view! Learn about how surveyors use 3D trigonometry with total stations, satellites, drones and laser scanners. Measure your own data and create your own 3D model. You'll discover how can we apply all this tech to modern day infrastructure projects – all over Sydney and beyond.

Film Studies: The Art Of Short Films | Discover how storytelling comes alive on screen with some examples of films made by recent uni students. Explore the creative and technical journey: from shooting compelling short films on your smartphone to producing dynamic dance films with professional cameras. Start thinking about the essential filmmaking skills in planning, shooting and editing, while experimenting with movement and visual rhythm.

International Studies: Explore International Studies | In this workshop, students will have the opportunity to develop a response to a crisis in the Pacific region. You'll come to understand all the tools International Studies bring to problem solving.

Linguistics: How Language Powers Tech & Your Future | Explore how understanding basic features of language shapes the way we communicate and understand the world. You'll engage in activities that highlight language use in everyday situations that help solve real‑world problems in the society, economy, law and technology.

Philosophy: Thinking Like A Philosopher | Interested in philosophy? In this workshop, we will work together to wrap our heads around crucial philosophical concepts, such as right and wrong, identity and survival.

Social Sciences (Sociology): The Social Origins Of Health And Illness | Is illness simply a matter of bad luck, bad judgement or bad genetics? In this workshop, we will explore health and illness through a sociological imagination to better understand the connections between personal health and societal, economic and historical issues.

Global & Public Law: Your Guide To The Australian Constitution | The Australian constitution has many parts – some protected by the High Court and others by the Australian people. This seminar will introduce you to your role in protecting and advancing our constitutional democracy, and the skills you will learn at law school to engage the High Court in this process.

Law, Society & Criminology | Arguing The Case: Injury, Alcohol And Responsibility: We all know that alcohol and inujury are sometimes a likely combo. But who holds the responsibility when these injuries occur? Hear from a number of perspectives and argue the case.

Private & Commercial Law: Companies & Climate Change | Interested in making a positive impact in climate change? Challenge yourself to consider how we might be able to use the law to hold companies accountable for their climate change impacts.

Optometry & Vision Science: What Can ‘Eye’ Do? | In this workshop, you'll be introduced to 'eye wonder' – demonstrating hands-on examples of how our eyes and brain work together for real-world visual experiences. You will also explore future career pathways in Vision Science and Optometry, and consider how a focus on vision and eye health care can make a real difference to people's lives.

Aviation: The Business Of Drones | Push the boundaries of science and innovation in this dynamic workshop where you'll form startup teams to tackle real-world problems using drone technology. Develop a business concept, design drone-based solutions and craft a compelling investor pitch that could take your idea to new heights. Experience the full startup journey—from ideation to presentation—and discover how science, technology and entrepreneurship intersect in this rapidly growing industry.

Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences: Critical Choices: Mining The Minerals For Everyday Life | This is a fast-paced, interactive workshop that puts students in charge of running their own company in a world where Earth’s mineral resources are limited—and every decision counts. The workshop explores how minerals are essential to everyday products, from smartphones and transport to renewable energy technologies. Working in teams, students compete against rival companies to secure resources, design products, and grow profits and influence. But success isn’t just about making money—students must also balance environmental impacts and social responsibility along the way. As the game unfolds, unexpected challenges and tough trade-offs keep teams on their toes, encouraging creative problem-solving, collaboration and clear communication. By the end of the workshop, students gain a deeper understanding of how resource choices shape our world and why smart, sustainable decisions are critical for building the future we want.

Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences: Build, Collaborate, Succeed: A LEGO Teamwork Challenge | Step into a hands on workshop where LEGO becomes a powerful tool for understanding how great teams are built. Through fast paced, creative construction challenges, you’ll explore team formation, practise clear communication, and learn practical strategies for navigating conflict. You’ll also discover why teamwork is essential in the sciences — where research, lab work, and real world problem solving rely on collaboration, shared decision making and diverse perspectives. This playful yet purposeful session shows how strong teamwork not only drives scientific breakthroughs but also sets you apart as a future ready professional in any field.