Sun, Speed, and STEM Newcastle's Mini EV Challenge Electrifies Education

Image Source: Career Links

Career Links is a not-for-profit organisation that creates transitional links between school, tertiary education and careers for young people in our local region.

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Newcastle is shifting toward renewable energy, sustainable resourcing, and innovation to ensure a successful future, and it is critical to encourage STEM skills and capacity in our schools. The Mini EV Challenge is a once-a-year opportunity for schools to compete in a fun-filled day of STEM learning, held on the grounds of Newcastle TAFE on Wednesday, 27 November, from 9am to 3pm.

Primary and secondary schools can register to receive their solar car or boat kit to design and build in class. Students learn together about renewable energy and science as they experiment to make their vehicles go faster. Once the design is complete, students bring it along to the Newcastle TAFE campus to race it against other schools in a series of exciting challenges that will make learning fun! With cash prizes and trophies to be won for speed, endurance, team spirit and innovation, schools won’t want to miss out on all the action.

The day also includes exhibitions and interactive displays where students engage with industry and education providers, including the COE Solar STEM Trailer, where students can attend workshops to make their own solar cells or enjoy the solar vehicle video game. The Net Zero Economy Agency will host a virtual information hub where students can learn more about what is happening in the region as we move toward a net-zero economy and have their questions answered.

There are tours of the TAFE’s renewable energy and aviation departments and a display of electric vehicles to explore. Then there are the races themselves, where students cheer on their school teams - the straight track (speed), oval track (endurance), the aqua track for boats and the CO2 dragster track for those bringing along their own CO2 dragsters.

The event could not happen without the support of sponsors, including Regional Development Australia Hunter, The Net Zero Economy Agency, Orica, Port Waratah Coal Services, Newcastle TAFE and Port Authority of NSW. To register your school, visit www.careerlinks.nsw.edu.au/mini-ev-challenge.