The ‘SMART Engineering Design Challenge’  has been developed for Years 5-6 high ability students. Dr Ben Vaughan will explain how the Centre for Organic Electronics research at the University of Newcastle’s Institute for Energy and Resources have developed world-first printed solar sheeting technology for solar panels.  There will be Q&A opportunities for students. A short break will be followed by an engaging hands-on session where students will unpack the science behind the new printed solar sheeting in three experiments.  This workshop concludes with a design challenge where students will be imagining and applying the latest solar solution as practical renewable energy saving solutions.  

IMPORTANT PREPARATION DETAILS:

1. For this VCES program, teachers will be posted the necessary STEM-in-a-box materials
2. There are limited numbers of tickets available.  Only ONE ticket of up to 25 high ability students per school for each event. 
3. NOTE: Rural and regional students will be a priority in the event of large booking demand.
4. Program flyer VCES SMART Engineering Design Challenge Flyer

How to book your group

1. Book your students into either the morning or afternoon session NOT both.
2. Tickets can be booked using the link below (NOTE: one ticket is for a group of up to 25 students)
3. Download and complete the attached Student details  spreadsheet and email this through to ecolinc@education.vic.gov.au

After your booking is confirmed

Please download the parental invitation and student nomination forms and distribute them to the families of the students.

• VCES Student Nomination Form
• VCES Parent Info

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) is an initiative funded by the Victorian Government to extend and engage high-ability students across the state. The series provides opportunities for students from Foundation to Year 12 in Government Schools to participate in enrichment learning experiences that challenge their thinking, build advanced skills, and encourage creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Delivered by specialist organisations and education providers, VCES programs immerse students in authentic, real-world learning beyond the classroom.

• Year Level: Year 5-6
• Duration: 2.15 hours

Yes, a kit of resources will be sent to your school

No prior knowledge is required.

In this video conference students will:

• Develop an understanding of emerging renewable energy technologies, specifically printed solar sheeting developed at a university research level.
• Understand how material properties such as flexibility, light weight, and layered structure influence the functionality and application of solar technologies.
• Identify and describe the meaning of the term organic in chemistry and explain what organic molecules are in age-appropriate scientific language.
• Model the layered structure of printed solar sheeting to demonstrate understanding of how components work together in a functional system.
• Investigate basic electrochemical principles by modelling how a simple battery works using common household materials.
• Engage in scientific questioning during a Q&A session with an expert, demonstrating curiosity and higher-order thinking.
• Apply knowledge of materials science and renewable energy to a real-world design challenge.
• Develop critical and creative thinking skills by proposing innovative, practical applications for printed solar sheeting technology in everyday life.

In this video conference students will:

• Participate in a presentation delivered by a university expert involved in the development of printed solar panel sheeting technology. The session will introduce:
  • The latest advancements in printed solar technology
    
  • How printed solar sheeting differs from traditional rigid solar panels
    
  • The advantages of flexibility, reduced weight, and potential real-world applications
• Students will construct a simplified physical model representing the layered structure of the printed solar material. Through this activity, they will:
  • Explore the concept of layered functional materials
    
  • Understand that each layer has a specific purpose
  • Work collaboratively to combine individual components into a larger flexible strand representing the complete structure
• Students will explore the scientific meaning of the term organic. They will:
  • Learn that organic molecules are carbon-based compounds
    
  • Create individual simple physical models representing organic molecular structures
  • Combine individual models as a class to form a larger connected structure, demonstrating how molecules can link together
• Using common household materials students will model the basic principles behind how a battery works. Through guided experimentation, they will:
  • Observe simple chemical reactions
    
  • Explore how chemical energy can be converted into electrical energy
  • Connect this understanding to how solar energy systems store and transfer energy
• Devise an innovative and practical application for printed solar sheeting in everyday life.

Science -Science as a Human Endeavour

• Scientific knowledge changes over time, often resulting from collaboration or by building on the work of others, and leads to advances in science  VC2S6H01

Science – Use and influence of science

• Scientific knowledge, skills and data can be used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions VC2S6H02

Science – Chemical Sciences

• The observable properties of matter (solids, liquids and gases) can be explained by modelling the motion and arrangement of their particles; mixtures (including solutions) can be formed by combining 2 or more different substances VC2S6U03

Science – Physical Sciences

• Light can be produced from many sources; light travels in a straight path, can form shadows, and can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected or refracted by objects VC2S6U08
• Materials may be electrical insulators or conductors; energy can be transferred and transformed in electrical circuits where the components of a circuit play particular roles in the function of the circuit VC2S6U09